Getting Involved
Although frequent visits are very important, you must also have continuous involvement. One way to stay involved is to join the facility’s family council, if there is one in place. If not, you might suggest forming one.
Family councils normally meet once a month in the facility to discuss issues of interest and concern. Council meetings provide an opportunity for family members to raise questions related to care with facility management. Family councils may also organize special events for residents, or generally work together to improve communications between staff and family with the ultimate goal of enhancing resident quality of life.
Also, the family council is allowed to organize letter-writing campaigns to legislators when there is a bill of concern to nursing facility residents before Congress or state legislatures.