Family Councils strive for better care at nursing homes

Editor:

Involvement of families and representatives of residents in nursing homes is imperative. As the Family  Council for the Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center, we unite to communicate concerns to the facility administrators to work for resolutions and improvements.

Federal law and regulations provide families and representatives of residents powerful rights relating to a family council. These regulations apply to all nursing homes that receive Medicare and/or Medicaid funds.

One of our objectives as a Family Council is to educate  families and representatives of their rights. One of the first steps regarding the Family Council is whenever a new resident is admitted to a facility, the facility must inform them if a Family Council exists and information on place, time and contact information.

Families and representatives of a resident have the right to meet with the families of other residents in the facility. When a family group exists, the facility must listen to the views and act upon the grievances and recommendations of residents and families concerning proposed policy and operational decisions affecting resident care and life in the facility.

In order for positive change to happen for our residents, we must advocate for them. On April 3 at 6 p.m., the Family Council will be meeting at the Hoag Library in Albion. If you have family in another facility and want to know how to form a family council, join us and we will share our process with you.

As the Family Council of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, we strive to improve the quality of care and quality of life of all the residents who live in this facility.

Kelly Bentley

Albion

Chairperson of Family Council