b"7 10 FAMILY COUNCILSInvolve Councils Recognize and celebrate success worthwhile. Being effective partners in decision-making As homes rebuild relationships, it isin care is an amazing feat when those imperative to recognize and celebrateliving, working and caregiving in long-Sharing of information andsuccesses. Doing this not only showsterm care homes can come together opportunities for families toappreciation for individual and groupfor the purpose of enhancing the provide input when it comes tocontributions, it reinforces the ideadelivery and access to caredecision-making is a great way forthat working together can bring aboutfor residents. LTCTadministration to support their homespositive outcomes. Homes and Family Council in exercising their legislatedCouncils can consider planning events powers. Administrators can engageto bring attention to extraordinaryCathleen Edwards is an councils to provide feedback on draftsactions or dedicating a space withinEducation Manager at Family of new policies and procedures thatthe home to show off Family Councils Ontario (FCO) and will be implemented in the home.Council achievements. Tiffany Fearon is an FCO Policy Many family members have an artillery& Research Manager.of knowledge and experience that canRebuilding relationships takes time be utilized in decisions in areas suchand commitment but is definitely as nutrition, recreation and8 A guide for healthcare event planning.Let go of the Old WaysWhile Family Councils and home management may have developed strategies from relationships prior to COVID, now is a time to let go of old ways that are no longer efficient orprofessionals to effectively operational. Take the time to evaluate existing processes and be creative inrecognize and resolve ethical how systems can be enhanced for the betterment of a home. situations in senior settings.9 Healthcare workers in senior settings such as long-term care homes Utilize communication toolsInterpersonal breakdowns often occur between families and care teams within a home becauseface many ethical dilemmas in the daily care of residents.In her over of miscommunication or lack of information exchange. Manythirty-five-year career in healthcare management, award-winning author communication tools that haveJanetIwaszczenko has focused on quality improvement with been developed for health careemphasis on ethical consideration inthe care of residents. professionals can be utilized to support Council to staff dialogue.Nowinher book, Ethics Awareness in Senior Settings, she sets Non-violent communication andout a five-step program that guides healthcare professionals SBAR are examples of tools that canin increasing ethics awareness and developing an effective be adapted to supporthealthy dialogue. Ethics Program in their homes.This book is a must-haveFrameworks, such as theThis book is a very hands-for all organizations thatone outlined in this book,on guide written to support ABOUT FAMILY serve seniors, and it is abring great value in helpingcaregivers and families from great education for thoseguide healthcare workersa variety of settings to be COUNCILS ONTARIO who work with and care forthrough challenging ethicalable to recognize, review, seniors. dilemmas, thus creatingand examine ethical issues Family Councils Ontario worksLois M. Cormack MHsc, ICDengaging environmentsand concerns.with long-term care homeCEO, Spring Living Retirementthat promote making thePatti Wright, MA residents' families, Family CouncilsCommunities best decisions possible inVice-President Operations, and home staff across Ontario tothe care of this vulnerableLongTerm Careenable them to cultivate positivepopulation.relationships, build effective Nima Mirtorabi, M.D. Family Councils and improve theTo purchase Medical Director, Attending long-term care experience. Ethics Awareness Physician Long Term Care, visitFor more information, in Senior Settingsvisit www.fco.ngo. www.theelizabethcentre.comwww.oltca.com LONG TERM CARE TODAY 25"