https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/03/03/conseils-de-residents-et-familles-partie-1
Q&A series begins with examining the purpose of the councils
By Farinaz Havaei & Sheila Novek
March 3, 2025
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Resident and family councils are forums for residents and family members to discuss concerns and ideas, to communicate with management, and to advocate on behalf of the people living within each LTC home.
Editor’s note: This article is an instalment of a four-part Q&A series that examines the role and function of resident and family councils in long-term care homes. Part 2 will be published on March 10. Part 3 will be published on March 17. Part 4 will be published on March 24.
How do you describe resident and family councils to those who have never heard of them before? Are resident and family councils separate, or do they function as one?
Answer from Farinaz Havaei
Resident and/or family councils refer to groups of residents and/or family members who meet on a regular basis for the purpose of maintaining and improving the quality of life of those residing in long-term care (LTC) homes.
Councils are more than just formal meetings; they are crucial elements of sharing experiences and concerns, community building and advocacy that significantly impact the lives of those residing in LTC homes. They provide a voice, information, support and a sense of belonging, which are essential for the well-being of both residents and their families.
Council structures vary based on their member composition. Councils may be composed of the following:
- Only LTC home residents (i.e., resident council)
- Only family members and friends of LTC home residents (i.e., family council)
- Both LTC home residents and their families and friends (i.e., resident and family councils)
Answer from Sheila Novek
Broadly speaking, resident and family councils are forums for residents and family members to discuss concerns and ideas, to communicate with management, and to advocate on behalf of the people living within each LTC home. In most provinces, LTC residents have a right to form a council, and there are requirements in place for operators to enable council meetings and to respond to a council’s concerns and suggestions. In some provinces, such as B.C., Ontario and Alberta, families also have the right to form councils and to provide input to management.
In practice, councils vary in terms of how they operate and who can participate. In some LTC homes, there are separate councils for residents and family members. Others only have one council, either for residents or family members. Some facilities have councils that include both residents and family members. Councils can meet weekly, monthly or every few months. Some are rather informal, whereas others have terms of reference and elected positions. Some councils are led by residents or family members, whereas others are chaired by a staff member assigned by the LTC home.
Dr. Farinaz (Naz) Havaei, PhD, is an associate professor in the University of British Columbia’s School of Nursing and the founder and director of the HOPE Lab. She has a passion for improving the quality and safety of health-care services.
Dr. Sheila Novek, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatric Nursing at Brandon University, Winnipeg. She is leading a federal Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Development Grant on resident and family engagement in long-term care. She was a postdoctoral fellow in the University of British Columbia’s School of Nursing at the time of this research.
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