A couple of months ago, we published an article exploring the reality of family advocacy in long-term care: “Speaking Up or Staying Silent? The Reality of Family Advocacy in Long-Term Care.” The article highlighted an important conversation – while it is widely recognized that families play a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of their loved ones, many hesitate to speak up when concerns arise due to fear, uncertainty, or the worry that advocating may negatively impact the care their loved one receives.
After publishing our recent piece on family advocacy, we were thrilled when Lisa Dawson, the President of the Independent Long-Term Care Councils Association of BC (ILTCCABC), reached out to share her perspective. Her response was a powerful reminder of just how vital Family Councils are in advocating for loved ones in long-term care, and why every family’s voice matters. Below, she shares her follow-up article on what true advocacy looks like from the council’s perspective on how families and care teams can work together to create real change.
Beyond Speaking Up: How Family Councils Turn Individual Voices into Collective Change: A Follow-Up to “Speaking Up or Staying Silent”
The article “Speaking Up or Staying Silent? The Reality of Family Advocacy in Long-Term Care” resonates deeply with families and validates something many family members have experienced but rarely discuss openly: the fear that speaking up could negatively affect the care of someone they love.
These fears are real.
Families often find themselves in an impossible position. They see opportunities for improvement, notice concerns, or simply want to better understand what is happening, yet they worry about being perceived as “difficult” or “complaining.” Many remain silent. Others advocate tirelessly, tapping nurses, care aides, and even doctors on their shoulders in the busy LTC hallways, but they feel isolated and exhausted by the process.
What is often missing from this conversation is the recognition that long-term care already has a legislated mechanism designed specifically to address these concerns: the Family Council.
The Difference Between Individual Advocacy and Collective Advocacy
Individual advocacy begins with a single family member speaking up at a council meeting about a concern affecting their loved one: “Am I the only one?” they ask.
Family Council advocacy begins when families come together to identify common issues, share experiences, and work collaboratively toward solutions that benefit all residents.
The distinction matters.
When concerns are raised collectively, they are less likely to be viewed as personal complaints and more likely to be recognized as opportunities for quality improvement. Issues that may appear isolated often reveal themselves to be systemic when multiple families share similar experiences. A Family Council transforms “my problem” into “our opportunity.”
A Legislative Voice in Long-Term Care
In British Columbia, Family Councils are recognized in legislation and supported through provincial policy. Their purpose is not to create conflict with operators or staff. Their purpose is to improve the quality of life of residents through collaboration, communication, education, and advocacy.
Family Councils provide a structured and constructive forum where families can: • Share concerns and observations.
- Identify trends affecting residents.
- Learn about long-term care systems and processes.
- Work with operators to improve services.
- Advocate for meaningful change at the local LTCH, regional, and provincial levels.
- Support one another through the emotional journey of long-term care.
Unlike individual complaints, Family Councils focus on solutions that can benefit entire communities.
Why Family Councils Work
The most successful Family Councils understand that advocacy and the long-term care home are not opposites. They recognize that long-term care homes face real challenges, including staffing shortages, increasing resident complexity, funding pressures, and workforce recruitment issues. At the same time, they understand that families bring valuable lived experience and insights that can help identify practical improvements.
When operators and Family Councils work together, remarkable things can happen. Across British Columbia, Family Councils have successfully advocated for:
- Improved dementia education and training.
- Better communication practices.
- Enhanced dining experiences.
- Increased social and recreational opportunities.
- Environmental improvements.
- Stronger resident-centred policies.
- Better support for families navigating care transitions.
These improvements often begin with a simple conversation around the Family Council table.
Creating Safety Through Community
One of the greatest strengths of a Family Council is that it reduces the isolation many families feel. A person advocating alone may question whether their concern is valid. A Family Council creates a safe environment where families discover they are not alone.
Through shared experiences, members gain confidence, knowledge, and support. They learn what questions to ask, how the system works, and where concerns can be directed constructively. Perhaps most importantly, they realize that advocating for quality care is not an act of opposition; it is an act of partnership.
From Complaints to Continuous Improvement
Long-term care is at its best when residents, families, staff, operators, and health authorities work toward a common goal: helping residents live meaningful lives with dignity, comfort, purpose, and connection.
Family Councils help make this possible.
Rather than focusing solely on what is wrong, effective councils identify what is working well and build upon those successes (the regional associations of family councils in BC offer guidance on an appreciative inquiry approach). They celebrate improvements while continuing to advocate for change where change is needed.
This balanced approach helps create a culture of continuous improvement rather than one of conflict.
The question is not whether families should speak up.
The answer is clear.
Families should never feel they must remain silent when concerns affect the quality of life of someone they love. But they should not have to carry that responsibility alone.
Family Councils provide a pathway for families to transform individual concerns into collective solutions. They offer a legislated voice, a supportive community, and a proven mechanism for creating meaningful change. The future of long-term care will not be built by residents, families, staff, or operators working separately. It will be built by all of us working together. And Family Councils are one of the most effective places to begin.
About Family Councils
Family Councils are a self-directed group of family members, friends and representatives of residents living in long-term care. Their purpose is to promote resident quality of life through education, communication, support, collaboration, and advocacy. To learn more about starting or joining a Family Council in British Columbia, visit ILTCCABC.ca.
Lisa’s article reminds us that raising awareness about the challenges families face is only one part of the solution. Equally important is exploring how we can create meaningful opportunities for residents and families to have their voices heard, valued, and included in the decisions that shape care.
At Dementia Solutions, we’ve made it our mission to demystify dementia behaviour and continue to explore person-centred, creative, non-pharmacological solutions to manage dementia-related behaviours. We believe that awareness creation and skill-building through education is the most effective and powerful tool we have to promote and maintain the well-being of both the person with dementia and their caregiver.
If you’re a professional caregiver, consider becoming a Certified Dementia Care Provider!
Ready to deepen your understanding and be confident in your skills in managing changed behaviours due to dementia? Register for our Certified Dementia Care Provider program today and learn how to communicate with compassion, navigate challenging behaviours, and provide the best care for individuals living with dementia. Gain the tools you need to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you care for. Sign up now and start transforming your caregiving approach!
If you’re a Family Caregiver, we invite you to join our Dementia Solutions Family Membership!
As a family caregiver, you don’t have to navigate the challenges of dementia alone. Join our Dementia Solutions Family Membership today and gain access to expert guidance, practical tips, and a supportive community of caregivers just like you. With resources, real stories, and valuable tools, we’re here to help you provide the best care while maintaining your well-being. Sign up now and take the next step toward confident, compassionate caregiving!
Any questions, simply send us an email at Info@DementiaSolutions.ca , and we’ll guide you through everything our programs have to offer. We look forward to helping you take the next step in your caregiving journey!
If you need support in your caregiving experience or would like to learn more about our educational opportunities, please reach out to us at Info@DementiaSolutions.ca and we would be more than happy to support you.
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this blog are provided for information purposes only. They are not intended to replace clinical diagnosis or medical advice from a health professional.
