As part of its commitment to improve the quality of services provided in all nursing homes across the Commonwealth, the Department of Public Health launched the Resident and Family Council Engagement Initiative in March 2017.
The Strengthening Resident and Family Council Initiative worked with skilled nursing facility staff, residents, and family members to develop, enhance, and sustain resident and family councils through education and training opportunities. The Department engaged the Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors on this Initiative, which extended through December 2017.
All Massachusetts skilled nursing facilities were invited to participate in the Initiative and were encouraged to include residents and their family members as part of the facility’s project team. Participating facilities took part in webinars, workshops, and other learning opportunities to help improve their resident and family councils.
Resources for Nursing Homes
These resources developed during the Strengthening Resident and Family Council Initiative are now available for all skilled nursing facilities.
Activity Guide
Webinars
To access a recording of each webinar, please visit the Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors website.
Presentation Slide Sets
- Person-Centered Care in Nursing Homes (PPTX) | (DOCX)
Presenter: Lori Todd, RN, LNHA, Executive Director, Loomis House - Maximizing Resident Engagement Part I-Appreciation (PPTX) | (DOCX)
Presenter: Kate Waldo, CTRS, ACC, National Director of Recreation and Guest Services, Genesis HealthCare - Maximizing Resident Engagement Part II-Accommodation and Adaptation (PPTX) | (DOCX)
Presenter: Kate Waldo, CTRS, ACC, National Director of Recreation and Guest Services, Genesis HealthCare - Story Sharing: Working Toward Relationship Based Care (PPTX) | (DOCX)
Presenter: Diane Heliker RN PhD, Professor of Nursing at St. Xavier University in Chicago - Resident Rights (PPTX) | (DOCX)
Presenter: Lori Smetanka, JD, Executive Director, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care - Problem-Solving in Long-Term Care: Tips for Effective Grievance and Complaint Resolution (PPTX) | (DOCX)
Town Hall Presentation
This important initiative was supported by the Department through the Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) fund, which provides Massachusetts with funding to support activities to improve the quality of care or improve the quality of life of nursing home residents in the Commonwealth.