Family Councils

Embers still burn hot from the devastating effects of the forced separation of residents and their most important persons ("family") during COVID.

The separation not only caused long lasting physical, emotional and mental effects on residents and family but, the obvious lack of healthcare staffing forced staff to witness the effects of isolation and inability to fill the void of family care. That policy was made without any consultation of those whom it impacted most. All health authorities and long term care homes in BC have a mechanism to quickly and effectively gauge reaction and gain input to all changes in policy BEFORE it is implemented.

This mechanism is the Family Council.

When a Family Council and a long term care home have relationship which is respectful, and collaborative, benefits exist for all involved. Aside from ensuring a long-term care home’s compliance with the BC Home and Community Care Act a Family Council helps establish meaningful connections and relationships throughout the care home and advocates for resident quality of life. Families become part of the long term care health team and resident community.

The Family Council acts to provide peer to peer support, helping new families find their way and existing families triage their challenges BEFORE they become issues for Administration. Providing care on a regular basis to residents in care, they also serve as eyes on the ground to provide input and feedback to staff and administration. They celebrate what is working well and offer suggestions for areas of opportunity that directly and positively affects resident quality of life.

The same Family Councils can engage at the regional level to raise the voice of the residents. In each health authority, a regional association of family councils exists to:

? Advocate on regional, systemic issues.

? Promote awareness of the benefits of resident and/or family councils.

? Provide support and advice to existing or emerging councils.

? Promote understanding and awareness of government regulations, policies and practices.

Regional councils can be of assistance to emerging or existing councils by:

? Providing guidance to start a council to residents and care home directors.

? Providing mentoring, support, tools and resources.

? Assisting with troubleshooting at it relates to specific issues.

Contact Regional Association of Family Councils:

Vancouver Island Association of Family Councils: [email protected]

Vancouver Coastal Association of Family Councils: [email protected]

Fraser Association of Family Councils: [email protected]

Interior Association of Family Councils: [email protected]

Northern Association of Family Councils: [email protected]

Lisa Dawson, Chair, VCAFC Vancouver Coastal Association of Family Councils?