What are Family Councils?

A Family Council is “a group consisting of representatives, family members and/or contact persons of Residents in Long-term care home who work together with staff to maintain and enhance the quality of life of Residents and to provide a voice in decisions within the facility that affect Residents and Family".
Family Councils are intended to be self-led, self-determining and democratic. A facility will designate a staff liaison for collaboration and information-sharing. The liaison will also ensure that a timely response is provided back to the Family Council when concerns and questions are raised.

What Does A Regional Association Do?

Networks Family Councils

Interior Association of Family Councils provides an independent forum for networking Family Councils of long term care homes in the Interior region of British Columbia.

Education & Knowledge-Sharing

Interior Association of Family Councils provides support and mentorship to new and existing Family Councils by hosting educational sessions so they can better understand long term care services including: policies and regulations, the roles and responsibility that Interior Health Authority and their private and contracted service providers have in provision of long-term care services and the roles and responsibility of Family Councils.

Advocacy

Family Council member representatives participate in a regional family councils network, where common issues can be discussed with the Health Authority, and we work to find solutions.

Networking with other Regional Associations of Family Councils in BC, we make recommendations and formal presentations to appropriate authorities (i.e. Health Authority, Ministry of Health) that will lead to informing policy that improves the care and quality of life of all Residents in long term care.

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WHO DO WE INCLUDE WHEN WE SAY FAMILY?

Families/Partners-In Care refer to persons who are related in any way (biologically, legally or emotionally), including immediate relatives and other individuals in the persons’ support network. Families/Partners-in-care include a person’s extended family, partners, friends, advocates, guardians, and other individuals. The person defines the makeup of their family/partner-in-care, and has the right to include or not include family members/partners-in-care in their care, and redefine the makeup of their family over time. (Excerpts from the IHA Administrative Policy Manual).