| Editorial
Family members must
speak out
Since the Province has made family councils mandatory
in long-term care homes, family members are hearing
a new call to get involved in the issues that
impact their relatives’ care. It has become
clear many people in the OMNI community, both
family members and staff, support family councils
but don’t think forcing people to volunteer
their time will be effective. But something has
to be done.
Staff members at several homes, along with family
members, have reported a lack of interest despite
attempts to generate excitement. There appears
to be a few reasons for this – people are
too busy, family members are satisfied with the
care their relative receives, while others aren’t
involved at all in their relatives’ lives.
Whatever the case, champion family members have
already emerged at some OMNI homes – family
members who can establish a family council and
make it work.
Forest Hill family council chairperson Barb Zvonar
has been key in developing OMNI’s strongest
family council. It’s a family council that
has about 30 members who meet regularly, has a
mission statement, objectives, and acts as a liaison
between residents and management. The Kanata home
has had an active and established family council
since it opened in 2001.
Springdale Country Manor family member Do’
Furness has been working in conjunction with the
home’s administrator to establish a family
council there. Do’ thinks the role of the
family council is an important one. “The
family council is a voice that can be heard. We
hope to advocate between the residents and the
managerial staff at the home.”
Maplewood family member Fred Evans has long been
an advocate for the Brighton long-term care home.
He has begun encouraging other family members
to help establish a council.
By identifying in each home the most active relative
to take the lead, with persistence, other family
members will begin to recognize the important
role they can play. After all, it’s their
voices that will influence their family members’
quality of life.
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