A Survey of the Characteristics and Administrator Perceptions of Family Councils in a Western Canadian Province

Abstract

Family Councils are independent, self-determining groups composed of family members (inclusive of friends) who have assembled with the main purpose of protecting and improving the quality of life of those living in long-term care (LTC) homes. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and characteristics of Family Councils in British Columbia, Canada. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with administrators of 259 homes and received 222 usable surveys. Of the 151 LTC homes that had Family Councils, it was most common for the homes to be larger (>50 residents), accredited, privately owned, and located in urban areas. Perceived barriers to Family Councils included lack of interest, tendency to focus on individual complaints, and the transitory nature of families. Perceived benefits of Family Councils included enhanced communication between staff and families, peer support, and collective advocacy. Recommendations focus on enhancing accessibility, information sharing, and meaningfulness of Family Councils to improve family engagement.

“It’s the worst thing I’ve ever been put through in my life”: the trauma experienced by essential family caregivers of loved ones in long-term care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

“…Third, empowering and mandating family councils across long-term care could strengthen the voice of families in decision-making. Family councils are self-led and self-determining groups of family and friends seeking to improve residents’ quality of life and improve LTC systems and procedures (Baumbucsch et al, 2022 ). Strengthening the capacity of family councils to engage in LTC decision making is an important area to address going forward.…”

Family Involvement Training for Staff and Family Caregivers: Case Report on Program Design and Mixed Methods Evaluation

“…Family caregivers’ role in long-term care is ambiguous [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. A family caregiver is a chosen family member, friend, or neighbor who provides unpaid support, assistance, and care to someone who has a mental or physical illness, disability, or frailty and is unable to fully care for themselves.…”

“…The objectives of this research project were to (1) document the design of the Family Involvement Project to facilitate the formal and safe involvement of family caregivers in the resident's care and (2) to report the pilot evaluation of the intervention. Because the structure of the ideal design and implementation of family involvement in long-term care is still limited [10], we used Knapp's [11,12] six-step implementation science model to explicitly describe the design of the Family Involvement Program.…”