Family councils in nursing facilities: strategies for effective participation.
This article provides an overview of the role of family councils. The contributions of the three groups that play a significant role in the development and support of family councils, relatives and friends of the facility's residents, facility administration and staff, and local advocacy organizations, are discussed. The role of the staff advisor, generally the facility social worker, is a major key to a successful council. Barriers that impede family council success are identified, and strategies that improve effectiveness are presented. Family councils play an important part in improving the quality of lives of long-term care residents.
Persson
Diane
D
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, School of Nursing Center on Aging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6901 Bertner Avenue, Suite 611, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. diane.persson@uth.tmc.edu
D003254:Consumer Advocacy; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011788:Quality of Life