Residents’ councils cover many bases
Wednesday February 13, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
While residents’ councils provide a forum for people living in long-term care homes to discuss issues and concerns with staff members, they also serve many other functions.

In fact, as life enrichment supervisor (LES) Jackie Arnott points out, residents’ councils are also a venue for residents to give praise to the homes and their staff members.

Arnott, LES at Pleasant Meadow Manor, says the four council members, plus other 15-or-so residents who attend the monthly meetings, use much of the time to thank staff members for their efforts towards the care they provide residents living at the Norwood long-term care home.

“It’s usually words of praise for any special event that has occurred (and) the care that they’re receiving from the staff,” says Arnott. “I’d say it’s a good relationship.”

Arnott adds that two new residents at the 61-bed home attended a recent council meeting to give their applause to staff members for the quality of care they’ve been receiving.

When new residents move into the home, residents’ council president Chris Jones greets them and he and Arnott explain to the new resident what the council is and what types of things it does to advocate on their behalf.

Arnott and Jones point out that there have been very few concerns brought up in recent months. When concerns do arise, Jones and staff members iron them out quickly.

“(It doesn’t) take that long,” he says.

Arnott and other staff members usually sit in on council meetings as invited guests. From the angle of her department, Arnott will go over the event calendar to discuss activity planning with residents and to get input as to the types of programs they would like to see more of in the home.

Once staff members hear about the residents’ interests, it gives them a framework when it comes to fundraising.

“The things that we can strive towards are things we’d like to start raising money for,” says Arnott, adding that there are often internal draws held to raise money for activities.