niscie 0 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 Hi My Adim. just informed me that we need to start a family council, I have no idea how to start it or what to cover in the meeting, anyone that can give me some info, it will be a great help! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sandy Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 Hi, I'm writing from Toronto Canada and we we're just sort of getting off the ground. There is a website that is quite informative that you can try - I think it's quite helpful. Good luck! http://familycouncils.net Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_teardrop1361 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 I am an Activity Director in N.C. in LTC facility. Wehave a Family Council. It works a lot like a Resident Council. They have done many fundraisers for the facility and they meet one time each quarter unless there is something pending. if you would like more info you can send email to teardrop1361@netzero.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana 0 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 IN our facility we leave family council up to social services and try to have one every quarter. we don't have very active family members when it comes to family council. another facility I was at the families initated and ran their own council without the assistance of staff at all. I guess it depends on each facility! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ella 0 Report Share Posted October 1, 2005 We have family council in our facility that is run by myself (Rec Therapist) and assisted by Social Services. Our CEO is always invited and in attendance unless out of town. We hold a meeting once a month at noon per the request of families. We have dietary serve lunch (soup, sandwiches, chips, cookies and drinks). We discuss what is happening within our facility related to the different departments i.e. Social Services, Activities, Nursing changes/issues and the CEO informs the families of any important issues that may pertain to them that were brought up board meetings etc. We also discuss any questions or concerns they may have related to care, changes in how we provide care i.e new or differnt lifts/CNA schedule rotations etc. Whatever the families want to talk about. We do not get a big turn out for family council. We send notices to all families (DPOA's, guardians listed on Face Sheets) notifiying them of when and where the meeting will be held and ask them to let other family members know about the meeting so they can join us. After the meeting I type up minutes of the meeting and send them out to all family members so they know what was discussed. We do not hold family council during the summer months because our attendance typically drops down to nearly nothing as famlies seem to be very busy that time of year. Attendance picks back up in the fall. I keep all documentation in a binder just as I do for resident council just in case there are any questions. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeCDP 0 Report Share Posted October 30, 2005 Family Council is run every quarter, by myself (Rec Director) The Administrator, and the social wroker We pick current topics like this November we will discuss Medicare D and invite the families to partake we serve light refreshments and it lasts usually 1 hour We post it in the monthly newsletter and around the building so families know when and where the meetings will take place We have also used topics like New Alzheimer's Drugs, and contacted pharm companies to come in and do the presentation Each quarter we have a new topic, and invite guest speakers as well We try to make it so it is not a complaint session, by leaving a suggestion box in the front lobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niscie 0 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 Thanks Ever so much!!!! Our first meeting was last week, and was a flop to say the least!! :-( we had no families show up, so my adim. got one family member who was on the way out the door to come in grab some food, and talk for a few. We planned on going over Medicare part D. We were told at first we only had to do them once a quater now they want them ever month. Its crazy!!And with the hoildays right around the conner we think no one will show for the next 2 either. We are hoping the family members will become more intrested. Also its the social services lady, my adim, and I running the meetings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AggieTiff 0 Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 I think all of the department heads kind of pitch in for family council. I send out the notices and make sure it is on the calendar and newsletter.... The ED leads it. I arranged for a speaker last time and we had a great turn out. We ran out of room for everyone. It is funny because before this last one we might have 1 or 2 family members show up. I think the key to this was that we had a speaker that was interesting, had an agenda, and did not have one last month. LOL. We have changed from every month to every other month and from 6:00pm to 10:30 am and things are going well. I would think that having it at night would be better but more come in the morning. I am going to try to keep on having speakers so maybe the attendance will stay up. Tiff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristas_mom3 0 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 Our facility also attempted to start up a Family Council with the Ombudsman's assistance. The Ombudsman actually came in to help for the first few sessions (months) and we had very little response from families! We sent reminders home via mail and followed up with a phone call close to the date when we got minimal RSVP response and we had flyers up around the facility. Still, no response. I guess I have to say I was pretty surprised as most of our families are local and in the same area as the nursing home itself is. But.....who knows. At least we tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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