Willows hosts regional family council meeting
Wednesday November 21, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
Thirty-three individuals representing family councils from Aurora-area long-term care homes attended the Central Region Aide family council meeting at Willows Estate on Nov 16.

The evening featured discussions about program updates, best practices and improving the livelihood for residents in long-term care, as well as a presentation from an expert in best practices in long-term care.

Family councils are made up of family members of those living in long-term care homes who advocate on the behalf of residents. Family councils in long-term care homes meet on a frequent basis, with regional family council networks meeting once every two or three months.

The Central Region holds its meetings at different homes on a rotating basis.

“It was a good opportunity for us to take part, because we got a lot of positive feedback. People were impressed with our home,” says Teddy Mazzuca, the home’s life enrichment co-ordinator.

The purpose of these meetings is to network with others, generate ideas and discuss best practices in long-term care.

On the forefront of the agenda of the Nov. 16 meeting was talk about how to move forward as a regional network, as well as discussion about the biggest success at each long-term care home.

Willows Estate’s family council created a large picture board for the meeting that was peppered with a variety of photographs from events held at the Aurora long-term care home.

“The thing they felt was (the biggest success) was the back garden that they built this summer,” says Mazzuca.

Like residents’ council meetings, Mazzuca says regional family council meetings are vital in helping staff members at the home meet residents’ needs.

“Everything done and discussed is all going to be things put forth to benefit our residents,” she says. “Everyone there has got the residents’ best interest in mind.”

Regional family councils also provide an opportunity for family members to hear what other homes are doing in terms of programming, upkeep and everything else that directly affects residents.

“If they are struggling, then they can get some ideas and input from other homes,” says Mazzuca.