The Family Council Manual and Toolkit: A Guide for Creating and Sustaining Effective Nursing Home Family Councils is a practical handbook for family members interested in setting up a new family council as well as a comprehensive resource for more experienced leaders facing new issues or wanting to reinvigorate an existing council.
The Issue
Federal regulations give family and friends of nursing home residents the right to meet together on-site in the nursing home. Such councils can serve as important advocates for residents and can partner with staff to effect meaningful improvements in the quality of care and quality of life for those living and working in the facility.
Target Audiences
The manual is intended for family and friends of nursing home residents, as well as for nursing home staff and administrators.
The Intervention
The Family Council Manual and Toolkit: A Guide for Creating and Sustaining Effective Nursing Home Family Councils was developed by FRIA, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group comprised of the friends and relatives of those residing in nursing homes that works to ensure that the consumer’s voice is heard by both providers and policymakers. The manual and toolkit was developed to help consumers create and sustain effective family councils within facilities.
The manual describes the purpose, role, and different structural options for family councils. It also explains how to get one started and describes the types of activities typically undertaken. The authors offer suggestions on how to run meetings and build membership and support for the council, as well as recommendations on how to build alliances and overcome common challenges. The manual also provides several success stories to show what family councils can accomplish.
For More Information
For more information or to order the manual, visit the FRIA Web site.