Page 60 - Ombudsman Participant Manual Optimized_Neat

Council Tip Sheet
Resident

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Definition: esident council is an independent, organized group of people living in a long-term care facility that meets
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regular basis to discuss concerns, develop suggestions on improving services or resolve differences in their home.

Resident councils can be an excellent resource for residents and are intended to provide an opportunity for residents to

influence policy and practices at their home. Although not mandated in federal and state nursing home regulations,

speak to the residents’ right to meet and to organize and to participate in resident groups. In addition, the
regulationsdo

Interpretive Guidelines for PA Department of Health Surveyors uses the existence of a resident council as a measure of

compliance and, usually, the minutes from the last three resident council meetingsare requested by surveyors when a

licensing inspection begins For this reason, facilities often assume “control” of council by setting the agenda, facilitati ng

the meeting and recording the minutes. This results in a less-than-effective council and transforms council into an

“activity” rather than a resident-directed mechanism for empowerment and self-resolution. Ombudsmen often play a

helping residents transform their council into their meeting and coaching them in assuming leadership roles.
role in

Ombudsmen must take direction from the residentsin this regard and be careful that the changesreflect the wishes and
preferences of
the residents and not what the ombudsman thinks it “should” be.

In personal care homes, resident councils are not addressed in the regulations. Again, the regulations protect the

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residents’ ability meet and participate resident groups and activities. However, personal care home providers are
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often not as involved in ensuring that a council exists and may even discourage the organization of a council. Resident

rights’ protections in personal care homes are also less comprehensive and retaliation is often a concern of the residents

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living there. The role the ombudsman this situation possibly assist the residents organizing council; assist

the residents in diffusing facility resistance; and facilitate a cooperative and collaborative relationship between providers

and council.
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It important make the distinction between attending resident council and supporting resident council. While there s
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no specific requirement that ombudsman attend certain number f resident council meetings their respective
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coverage area, STRONGLY recommended that each council be visited least once annually. Residents can learn
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about the Office and the ombudsman can learn about the dynamics of the facility and get a “snapshot” of the issues and

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quality f life that exist there. During the 2016 resident survey, the Office received feedback from approximately 525

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residents long-term care Pennsylvania. The residents overwhelmingly requested increased ombudsman involvement
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in their resident councils. For this reason, local ombudsmen should attempt make meeting attendance priority and
they

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be prepared work with and support councils as strive become more resident-directed and independent.
Provided to: Resident councils – or residents wishing to create a resident council – in nursing homes, assisted living

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facilities and personal care homes. possible that council exists LIFE/OADLCs but that much less prevalent.
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When/How: Every facility and every council different. important become familiar with the residents and the
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facility prior resident council involvement. After few visits and conversations with the residents, you can establish
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strategy. the council already established, they usually meet monthly and the meetings are posted an activity
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calendar n the building. Once you know date/time/location; locate the resident council president – or other resident

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officer and ask for permission to attend their meeting. Get the meeting on your calendar and be sure to allow time

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before and after – to talk to residents and field questions, etc.

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If you are visiting a facility where a resident council does not yet exist, and the residents you have been visiting have

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expressed n interest in getting one started, it is important to identify one or two residents that are willing o assume a

leadership role – with your support. Meet with those residents and plot a strategy for notifying staff and

organizing/inviting other residents.
Office of the LTC Ombudsman
Office of the LTC Ombudsman
Version 1.0 September 2020
Version 1.0 September 2020
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