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Family Councils 101

Discover how Family Councils provide support, advocacy, and connection for families in long-term care, and learn how to get involved or start a Council.

What is a Family Council?

A Family Council is a self-led group of family members and friends of residents in a long-term care home (LTC). These are people who care deeply about the wellbeing of residents and want to support one another — offering peer support, shared knowledge, and working together to enhance the experience for everyone living in care.

What began informally in the 1990s as families supporting each other has evolved into a structured, grassroots movement now supported by Family Councils Ontario (FCO). Today, hundreds of formal Family Councils operate in LTC homes across Ontario, with recognized authority under provincial law.

Key Features of a Family Council

  • Self-led and democratic — Councils are governed by their own members, not by staff at the home. Members define how the Council operates, make decisions collectively, and elect their leadership.

  • Structured operations — Most Councils have a Terms of Reference, Code of Conduct, defined roles (chair, secretary, etc.), meeting guidelines, and internal processes.

  • Independent of home administration — Councils set their goals, activities, and priorities, within the framework of the law, without interference from the home’s staff.

  • Regular gatherings — Councils meet periodically; members come together to share experiences, concerns, ideas, and support.

What Family Councils Do — Their Core Goals

Although each Council is unique, most share these four foundational goals:

  1. Mutual Support
    Councils offer emotional, informational, and practical support. That can make a huge difference to families — especially when a loved one has just moved into long-term care, or is living with a condition like dementia. Through peer relationships, families can process feelings, exchange advice, and help each other navigate challenges.

  2. Education & Information
    Councils often organize guest speakers, workshops, or information sessions — covering topics like resident rights, dementia care, legal planning (Power of Attorney), and end-of-life care. This helps families understand how the home operates, what to expect, and how to advocate for quality care.

  3. Advocacy & Problem-Solving
    As a stronger, collective voice, Councils can raise concerns and suggest improvements to the home — from physical modifications (e.g., safer walkways) to enriching resident life (new programs, activities, better services). They act as a bridge between families and home administration to enhance quality of life.

  4. Communication & Connection
    Councils help keep families informed about what’s happening in the home — sharing updates, gathering feedback, and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. This transparent communication fosters trust, involvement, and a sense of community among families and staff.

Legal/Legislative Recognition

Under the Long-Term Care Homes Act (Ontario), Family Councils are legally recognized: they have the right to advise home administration, raise concerns, and make recommendations on behalf of residents and families.

Councils may request the home to assign a “Staff Assistant” — a staff person who supports the Council, attends meetings when needed, and acts as a liaison between the Council and home leadership.

Why Family Councils Matter

  • Amplifying the voice of families: When families speak together, their suggestions and concerns carry more weight than individual complaints.

  • Supporting caregivers: Many families find long-term care emotionally and practically challenging — Councils provide a community of support, solidarity, and shared knowledge.

  • Improving resident quality of life: Through advocacy and collaboration, Councils can help shape better living conditions, programming, and care for residents.

  • Strengthening communication and trust: Councils build bridges between families, staff, and administration — making LTC homes more transparent and responsive.

How to Start a Family Council

If your home does not yet have a Council — or if families are interested in forming one—here’s a simple path forward (based on FCO’s “How To Start a Family Council” guide).

  1. Gather a small planning team (2–3 interested people) to review resources and deliberate on goals.

  2. Hold an open meeting for all families/friends of residents to present the idea and build interest.

  3. Draft a Mission Statement, Terms of Reference, and Code of Conduct, and elect temporary leadership (chair/co-chairs, secretary, etc.).

  4. Plan regular meetings, define initial activities (education, support, advocacy), and decide how the home staff will support the Council (e.g., appoint a Staff Assistant).

  5. Maintain the Council over time — hold regular meetings, solicit new members, review progress, and adapt as the Council evolves.

For more detailed templates and support materials, see the FCO resources, including downloadable guides, sample documents, and workshop presentations.

Get Involved — You’re Not Alone

If you’re part of a long-term care home (family, friend, support person) and care about improving resident life — you’re exactly who a Family Council is for. With your involvement, experience, and voice, the Council can become a powerful force for support, positive change, and community in long-term care.

Interested? Reach out to Family Councils Ontario to learn more, or explore their other resources — including “Your Guide to Starting and Maintaining a Family Council.”