Do residents have a right to meet as a council?
Yes.
Federal and state laws give residents the right to meet as a council. At the time of admission, nursing homes are required to inform new residents of their right to establish a council if one does not exist or to participate in the activities of a council which is already operating.
Councils have the right to meet privately or to invite members of the nursing home's staff, relatives, friends, or members of community organizations to participate in the meetings. The residents of a home may invite a staff person to serve as liaison to the Council, to attend council meetings if requested and to provide needed support services and assistance such as typing minutes and correspondence.
How are Resident Councils organized?
The structure of a Resident Council can be the key to its success. The size of the home and the abilities and needs of the residents are important factors to consider in selecting a structure.
In small homes, Resident Councils are frequently operated as open meetings for all interested residents. There may be a steering committee to help plan meeting agendas and to follow up on decisions made by the Council. Larger homes often have Councils made up of representatives either elected or recruited from different sections of the facility. Council representatives are responsible for seeking the concerns and suggestions of residents in their area and for bringing this information to the meetings.
According to OBRA, every long-term care facility is required to have a Resident Council. Regular monthly meetings are scheduled. Additional meetings can be scheduled per special request or need. All residents are encouraged and invited to come to the meetings. Attendance records and minutes are written. Two resident rights are reviewed and discussed each month in the meeting.
Resident council members review the activity program and give input to programs, special events, and requests at each meeting. The original minutes are keep on file and a copy is given to the administrator. All issues discussed by the council should have a plan of action written, signed, and dated by the responsible discipline. Past month's issues will be reviewed.
The agenda for each meeting should include the following:
- Welcome
- Attendance
- Review of past month's minutes
- Review of past month's resolutions to issues
- Review of specific departments such as nursing, dietary, social services, activities, maintenance, therapy, and administration
- New business and issues
- Request for visitors for the next month's meeting
The following is an example of meeting minutes
Resident Council Minutes
10/30/09
The following resident attended the resident council: Mary Jo Smith, Calvin Poge, Elizabeth Curry, John Peterson, Robert Bell, and Susan Wayne. The following staff were invited as guest. Jamie Tiller, SSD, and Holly Gorton, AD.
The past month’s minutes were read and approved by the resident council.
The council review John Peterson concern about broken curtains and he shared that maintenance had fixed the curtain right after the last resident council.
Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the nursing department. Robert Shared that the staff could smile more and say good morning.
Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the dietary department. All residents shared that the food was wonderful and they especially enjoyed the fried chicken last Monday.
Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the social services department. The residents did not share any concerns.
Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the activities department. The residents shared that they would like to add penny cards and go on an outing to the next circus coming to town.
Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the maintenance department. The residents did not have any concerns at this time.
Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the therapy department. The residents did not have any concerns at this time.
Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the administration department. The residents shared they would like the administration to have breakfast with them in the month of December.
New business and Issues were the residents’ choice menu for the month. The residents voted on fried chicken, peas, cinnamon bread, and ice cream with cherry pie. No other new business was discussed at this time.
The residents requested the Director of Nursing to give a report on new staff at the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be November 30, 2009.
___________________________________________
Signature of Resident Council President or Vice President
Family Council
Family Councils are also important to have in the facility as well. The family councils are able to help advocate for their loved ones and support one another in care for family member. Family councils are run by the residents’ families. The Long Term Care Ombudsman in your area can help your facility set up a family council.
Link: Family Council
*Note: The Social Service Designee course is available in a limited amount of states. Click here to find out if the course is available in your state.
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