Family Council Center

Family members in a nursing home can join together to form a united consumer voice which can communicate concerns to facility administrators and work for resolutions and improvements by forming a family council. Family councils can play a crucial role in voicing concerns, requesting improvements, supporting new family members and residents, and supporting facility efforts to make care and life in the facility the best it can be.

Join and support the family council at your loved one’s facility! If no family council exists, join with other family members to form one.

Family Council Information

LTC Ombudsman Program

In addition to acting as an advocate for residents, ombudsmen educate residents, families and friends about resident rights, state surveys, and federal and state laws.

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Consumer Center

Find resources on issues facing long-term care consumers.

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Family Council Examples

The examples provided here have been provided to Consumer Voice by councils across the country, along with permission to post the materials. The posting of these materials is not to be construed as an endorsement by Consumer Voice of the content of any of these materials, nor does Consumer Voice condone or take any responsibility for the content and/or the accuracy of the information in the materials.

Bylaws

Mission Statement and Bylaws, Formulated by the family council at the Hebrew Home in Rockville, MD.
Family Council Bylaws, Formulated by the family council at Holy Cross Nursing and Rehab Ctr., Burtonsville, MD
Family Council Bylaws, Formulated by Birmingham Green Family Council

Family Council Promotion

Annual Reports, Formulated by the family council at the Hebrew Home in Rockville, MD. 2011, 2012
Sample Flier
Family Council Monthly Meeting Flier, Formulated by Relatives and Friends Council of Isabella
Family Council Public Meeting Announcement, Formulated by Relatives and Friends Council of Isabella
Family Council Courtesy Guide, Formulated by Relatives and Friends Council of Isabella

Monthly Newsletter: Family Council Matters, Formulated by the family council at the Minnesota Veterans Home (MVH) – Minneapolis.
Family Council Newsletter, Formulated by Advocates of Nursing Home Residents

Survey

Survey Used to Identify Common Concerns, Formulated by the family council at Westminster Care and Rehabilitation, Carroll County, MD, May 2000
Family Council Questionnaire for Family Members and Friends, Formulated by Westminster Nursing Home Family Council

Membership Form

Membership Form, Formulated by the family council at Holy Cross Nursing and Rehab Ctr., Burtonsville, MD
Family Council Membership Application, Formulated by Relatives and Friends Council of Isabella

Meeting Agenda & Minutes

Family Council Meeting Agenda, Formulated by Birmingham Green Family Council
Family Council Minutes, Formulated by Birmingham Green Family Council

Virginia Family Council Grants and Other Opportunities

Through Consumer Voice’s Family Councils for Quality Long Term Care: Support, Strengthen and Empower project, we are working with family councils in Virginia, providing pass-through grants, support, networking and education. If you are part of an existing family council in Virginia or want to start a council, learn more about applying for a family council grant.