Resident and Family Council

Resident Council

A Resident Council is a group which allows residents in a nursing home, residential care or assisted living (called a Consumer Council in assisted living programs) to join together to discuss their concerns and communicate those concerns to the administration. Resident Councils can share concerns and request changes to improve life in the nursing home, residential care or assisted living. The Resident Council is independent and the residents determine how the Resident Council will be managed and who can attend the meetings.

The regulations around a Resident Council vary by setting, but all of the regulations support residents in establishing a Resident Council. The Ombudsman Program is happy to provide information and support for the establishment of Resident Councils.

Family Council

A Family Council is an independent group of families and friends of residents that organize to protect and improve the quality of care and life for residents within a nursing home. Family Councils have proven to be very effective in producing desired changes regarding common concerns within nursing homes.

Families of residents in nursing homes have the right to organize Family Councils. While these groups are independent, the Ombudsman Program is happy to provide information and support for the establishment of Family Councils.

For more information on starting or supporting a Resident Council or a Family Council, call us at (800) 499-0229 or (207) 621-1079.