Learn How Resident and Family Councils Promote Better Living in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Residences
October 24, 2023
The New Jersey Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and advocacy group FACE NJ will host an online discussion Thursday, Nov. 9 highlighting the value of resident and family councils in improving care and promoting a better quality of life in long-term care facilities.
Long-term care residents, their families and friends, and facility staff members are urged to virtually attend the discussion, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Register here or find the link at the top of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman website.
The discussion will cover what resident and family councils are, why they are important, and how to establish and support them. Presenters during the online event will include resident council members, a family council member, and a representative of a care provider.
Long-term care residents may join a resident council where they live or—if none exists—join with other residents to form a new council. Similarly, their family members may join or establish a family council. Both councils can be important advocates by voicing concerns; identifying and requesting needed improvements; supporting new residents and their families; and working with facilities to foster better care and a higher quality of life for the individuals who live there.
“Residents have firsthand knowledge of their experiences, which gives them a unique perspective on how things are versus how they should be, and family members are natural advocates for their loved ones,” said Laurie Facciarossa Brewer, New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman. “So it is no surprise that resident and family councils both serve a crucial role in making long-term care more livable.”
Laurie Kruithof, President of Face NJ, said the online discussion is intended to educate participants on how to amplify the voices of residents and families toward the goal of better care and better lives for the residents.
“We hope to empower people and give them the tools they need to demand the high-quality, person-centered care that the residents need and deserve,” Kruithof said.
FACE (Family Advocate Care Experience) NJ is a private Facebook group composed of caregivers, family members, and others who advocate for loved ones in long-term care.
About the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman
The Office of the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman is an independent state agency dedicated to the mission of advancing the rights, dignity, and self-determination of adults living in long-term care, including nursing homes, assisted living, and residential health care facilities. Learn more.
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Official Site of The State of New Jersey
