Resident Councils in Assisted Living Homes
What is a Resident Council?
A resident council is an independent, organized group of persons living in an assisted living home who meet on a regular basis to discuss concerns, develop suggestions and plan activities.
The structure of a resident council can be the key to its success. The size of the home and the abilities and needs of the residents are important factors to consider in selecting a structure. In small homes, resident councils are frequently operated as open meetings for all interested residents. There may be a steering committee to help plan meeting agendas and to follow-up on decisions made by the council.Larger homes often have councils made up of representatives either elected or recruited from different sections of the facility.
Council representatives are responsible for seeking the concerns and suggestions of residents in their area and for bringing this information to the meetings. How to get more information about Resident Councils:If you need more information about resident councils, please contact your local long term care ombudsman.
Six Helpful Steps In A Successful Resident Council.
Step One. As part of the administration, decide how open you'll be to suggestions for change from the residents. Is the nursing home willing to consider, for example, how to offer computer access to residents, if they request it, or to bring 12-Step meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous into the facility? Or is the home more comfortable with smaller changes such as adding a week to the food rotation schedule to increase the variety of meals served? The group leader should be aware of how willing the administration is to work with the group in order to guide the meetings more effectively.
Step Two. Evaluate which person on staff would make the best group leader. A successful leader will be someone who is a strong resident advocate, has good rapport with both residents and other staff members, and either has the skill to run meetings or is willing to learn and practice.
Step Three. Recruit new group members. The staff leader and current resident attendees can, with the support of the facility, begin a community-wide campaign to "rehabilitate" the Resident Council Meetings. Speak privately with those residents who might be willing to attend improved meetings and get a commitment from them to give it a try. Ask them to talk to their friends in the home and then follow up with the friends. This process may take some time, so plan for the kick-off meeting to be a few months down the road, rather than the following month. Bring in many new, alert people at the same time, so the group is strong enough to encompass confused, off-topic, or quirky members.
Step Four. Educate the group members about how the meetings work, what types of issues can be addressed, and where other concerns can be brought. Spending group time discussing the process of the group is a worthwhile investment. For practical, rather than clinical, information on running groups, check out Robert's Rules of Order.
Step Five. As group leader, utilize group therapy techniques, such as creating an emotionally safe environment for discussion and ensuring that as many members as possible get a chance to express their opinions. Care should be taken to avoid a few members dominating the group. Leaders might consider reading about group process if they don't feel comfortable with their skills. My group therapy "Bible" is The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, by Irvin D. Yalom, which, while geared toward psychotherapy, offers many techniques which would enhance Resident Council Meetings and many other group activities. (If anyone reading this has other resources, please add them in the comments section.)
Step Six. Like all well-run meetings, issues raised by the group members should be addressed and followed up either within the current meeting or in subsequent gatherings, with a recording secretary so that items aren't lost. If suggestions made by the group aren't able to be realized, give reasonable explanations so members understand their requests were seriously considered. Use the wisdom of the group to find ways to make things happen while working within the constraints and realities of the nursing home system.
