A family council is an independently organized group consisting of families, legal guardians, and friends of residents in the same nursing home or assisted living facility.

The family council works to improve resident nursing care; become informed on the regulations governing nursing homes; and lend support to family members. Council members have a voice in making suggestions to staff and facility administration and owners on policies and the care of their residents.

Under state and federal law, a facility is required to listen to resident and family group recommendations and grievances. Acting upon these issues does not mean that the facility must accede to all group recommendations and must attempt to accommodate those recommendations, to the extent practicable, in developing and changing facility policies affecting resident care and life in the facility. The facility should communicate its decisions to the resident and/or family group.

In summary, the council works efficiently and effectively with the nursing home staff for the best interest of the residents, in order to improve the quality of care and quality of life of nursing home residents.

The Family Council of Eventide Nursing Home will hold their monthly meetings at the Rylander County Library on the last Saturday of each month at 10:15 a.m.