Resident Council Discussion

[Jpitrone5 0]

Hello all, 

 

The current community I've been working in is the only community I've actually ran Resident Council. We have the dining room supervisor from culinary present, the activity director and the residents. Its kind of a low key Resident Council. I was wondering if I could hear about any of your resident council meetings so I can see what changes I might need to make or add.

 

 

Thank you !

Jessica

[jonesn1986 0]

The activity dept used to run our resident councils but now the admissions person does; all that really means is that she types up the resident council agenda sheets that are passed out. I set up and gather residents. We actually have it in the dining room so the day before I put signs on all the dining tables reminding them. This made a huge difference. I work at an assisted living that is a pArt of a larger organization of multiple facilities across the continuum so this is who is there. Chaplain opens, gives chapel announcements and opens with prayer. Director of resident relations (admissions) announces admissions, discharges and census and encourages them to be nice to new residents. Then I go and give announcements for upcoming acitivities. This is great cause we have it on the 4th Wednesday so I announce next months highlights so they know what to look for on the upcoming calendar. Then our Directro goes and gives a variety of announcements; new staff, flu shots, building changes, etc. then dining goes ; we have a separate ‘dining discussion’ the week before so this is short ( I recommend doing this because we know what it is like with residents and the dining dept). Then our maintenance director speaks only if he has anything to share; repairs, remodels, reminders about sidewalks in winter, turning the heat on etc. ( he doesn’t always show up) lastly, sometimes, the COO shows up if he has any whole organization news like a new facility opening or news from the city that might affect residents.

[celestechase 0]

OBRA '87 requires every LTC facility to have a Resident Council it is the political voice of those that reside in the facility. Required positions on the council are president, vice president and secretary/treasurer. Residents need to approve any staff member or visitor to attend these meetings. The President is the spokesperson for the council & the chairperson keeps the minutes (copy to the Admin.).

The Activity or Social Service staff is usually the chairperson.The chairperson is responsible for scheduling the monthly meeting, announcing the meeting & posting an invitations, creating the agenda, facilitating the meeting. Most importantly, taking any issues & concerns to the responsible depart. head for review & resolution. 

• Meetings begin with attendance and recognition of each member. 
• Review of last month's minutes including resolutions to each issue addressed
• Department heads speak on any issues that may have previously noted as a resident concern
• Review one or two specific resident rights
• Review of one or more quality of life issues
• Reminder of the right to review the past year's survey results and where they are located
• Discussion of activity planning (to include residents voice in monthly planning)
• Voting issues (if time appropriate)
• Open forum - residents voice opinions & offer additional info. or recommendations for group projects

Note: every six months or so review with council members all concerns/grievances that were previously identified & determine if they are still pending concerns; surveyors will want to know that there are ongoing attempts to address concerns

 

some ideas for council projects:

welcome cards, visits to new residents, employee of the month awards, invitations to outside speakers, council newsletter, and the list goes on and on.

 

This is the general template but your documentation needs to reflect that residents voice is heard and resident rights are supported within the facility. 

 

Hope that helps!