Family Council Network 4 Advocacy
Committed to Improving the lives of Ontario residents in
Long Term Care
You Can Make a Difference!
Letter Writing Campaign
Personal advocating is important - but by joining together we can make our suggestions count even more! Get involved with your local Family Council and other organisations that are dedicated to improving the life of seniors in Ontario.
If you have a friend, loved-one or family member who is a resident in a LTC home, please take a few minutes to send a Letter to the Premier of Ontario and to Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long Term Care. Click here to see the draft of a letter you can use to call attention to the need that you see in your Long Term Care home in the Documents section. There is even a space for you to include your own personal example. Send copies to your local political representativesor contact them personally and let them know the importance of passing laws that uphold the rights of our seniors. A short list of MPP names and addresses is provided. You can access the complete list of MPPs at http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?list_type=ministers
OR speak to your MPP directly by telephone or by visiting the constituency office. You might want to check out the script we have to help you in your dialogue with the MPP.
Our focus is on lobbying for more funding and education for our front line workers. Your opinion IS important - express it!
Help others understand what we know so well - that by working together we can make Long Term Care in Ontario the best it can be!
Get involved with a Family Council
WHAT IS A FAMILY COUNCIL?
A Family Council is an organized, self-led, self-determining, democratic group composed of family and friends of the residents of Long-Term Care Homes. The main purposes of a Family Council are to improve the quality of life of Long-Term Care residents and to give families and friends a forum for sharing their experiences, learning and exchanging information.
A Family Council works with residents’ family members or friends and the Long-Term Care Home to identify and resolve issues that affect residents’ quality of life, plan activities for residents, families and staff and support each other. Family Councils can work with a Family Council Staff Assistant . This is a person that the Home appoints at the request of the Family Council to assist the Council and attend meetings on request.
WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF FAMILY COUNCIL
· Allows families to give each other ongoing mutual support and encouragement.
· Provides a forum for learning – e.g., regarding residents’ rights, the health issues affecting residents (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease), or other relevant topics.
· Provides an opportunity to become knowledgeable about the Home’s operations, policies and rules.”
· Can help families and the Home form a positive partnership aimed at improving resident care.
· Offers family members a chance to express their collective concerns – a “united voice” supporting a “united effort“.
· Can benefit residents who are physically or mentally unable to voice their needs and concerns as well as those without family
· Can benefit the Long-Term Care Home by providing a means for staff to deal directly with families as a group and establish meaningful ongoing lines of communication.
NETWORK MEETINGS
Members of Ontario Family Councils gather several times per year for education about issues concerning Long-Term Care, to share experiences, exchange information and explore issues of common concern.
(Information obtained from the Family Council Ontario website.)
Briefing Note: Casa Verde Ceremony of Remembrance
