A family council in a nursing home is a consumer group composed of friends and relatives of the home's residents. Purposes vary greatly from council to council, depending upon the interests of council members. A general set of purposes should be agreed upon when a council is new and revised as the goals and interests of members change. Benefits Effective family councils benefit families, residents and the homes in which they are involved.
Families benefit in many ways.
No one knows as well as a family member how difficult it is to place a loved one in a nursing home. Even after placement, families continue to share similar concerns, problems and questions. Family councils allow families to give each other the support, encouragement and information they need. Council involvement helps to resolve feelings of helplessness because families have a channel to express their concerns and ideas and a way to work for positive change. Being involved in issues that affect their resident loved ones, families feel less isolated and powerless.