Strategies for Improving Family Involvement in Resident Care Plans
Introduction:
Family involvement plays a critical role in the well-being and quality of life of residents in Adult Family Homes (AFHs). When families actively participate in care planning, decision-making, and ongoing support, residents benefit from enhanced emotional support, improved care coordination, and a greater sense of security.
However, many AFH providers struggle to engage families effectively, whether due to geographic distance, lack of communication, or differing expectations about care. Encouraging family participation requires intentional strategies that foster collaboration, trust, and transparency.
This article explores key strategies to improve family involvement in resident care plans, ensuring that families, caregivers, and residents work together to create a supportive and personalized care experience.
1. Establish Open and Transparent Communication
The Challenge:
Families may feel disconnected from their loved one’s care if there is limited or unclear communication from AFH providers.
Best Practices:
Schedule Regular Check-Ins:
Set up monthly or quarterly family meetings to discuss the resident’s health, progress, and care plan updates.
Offer phone calls, emails, or video meetings for families who cannot visit in person.
Use Multiple Communication Channels:
Provide updates via email newsletters, secure messaging apps, or a family portal.
Send written summaries of important discussions to ensure all family members stay informed.
Encourage Two-Way Communication:
Allow families to ask questions, provide feedback, and share concerns about their loved one’s care.
Assign a designated caregiver or administrator as the main point of contact for families.
By maintaining clear, regular, and open communication, AFH providers build trust and stronger relationships with families.
2. Involve Families in Care Plan Development
The Challenge:
Families may feel left out of important care decisions, leading to frustration or lack of engagement.
Best Practices:
Invite Families to Care Plan Meetings:
Encourage families to participate in creating and reviewing their loved one’s care plan.
Discuss preferences, medical needs, and emotional well-being with input from both families and caregivers.
Incorporate Family Knowledge into Care Plans:
Families have valuable insight into residents’ past routines, habits, and preferences.
Use their input to personalize care, activities, and daily schedules.
Educate Families on the Care Planning Process:
Explain how care plans are structured, updated, and reviewed to ensure families understand their role.
Provide printed or digital guides on how care decisions are made and adjusted over time.
Including families in care planning empowers them to actively support their loved one’s well-being while building stronger partnerships with caregivers.
3. Encourage Family Visits and Engagement
The Challenge:
Some families struggle with scheduling visits or staying engaged due to busy schedules, geographic distance, or emotional barriers.
Best Practices:
Make Visits Convenient and Welcoming:
Offer flexible visiting hours to accommodate different schedules.
Create comfortable visiting areas that encourage family interaction.
Plan Family-Oriented Events and Activities:
Host seasonal celebrations, family potlucks, or game nights to encourage regular participation.
Organize themed activities where residents and their families can bond.
Offer Virtual Visiting Options:
Provide video calls via Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype for family members who live far away.
Set up a dedicated device or caregiver assistance for residents who need help with video calls.
Encouraging consistent family interaction strengthens emotional bonds, improves resident morale, and enhances overall well-being.
4. Provide Family Education and Resources
The Challenge:
Families often lack knowledge about their loved one’s condition, leading to misunderstandings or unrealistic expectations about care.
Best Practices:
Offer Educational Workshops and Seminars:
Provide training on dementia care, mobility assistance, nutrition, and medication management.
Invite guest speakers, such as nurses, therapists, or elder care experts, to discuss important topics.
Share Informational Materials:
Provide pamphlets, online articles, and video tutorials about senior care best practices.
Include a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section on the AFH website for quick reference.
Encourage Support Groups for Families:
Create peer-support meetings where family members can share experiences and advice.
Recommend external caregiver support groups for additional resources.
Educating families empowers them to contribute effectively to their loved one’s care and fosters collaborative caregiving efforts.
5. Foster a Collaborative Approach to Problem-Solving
The Challenge:
Conflicts can arise between families and caregivers regarding care decisions, leading to tension and dissatisfaction.
Best Practices:
Acknowledge Family Concerns with Empathy:
Listen actively and validate their feelings before addressing concerns.
Use a problem-solving approach rather than a defensive stance.
Hold Mediation Meetings if Necessary:
If disagreements arise, arrange a facilitated discussion with the provider, caregivers, and family members.
Focus on finding common ground while prioritizing the resident’s needs.
Encourage Flexibility and Adaptability:
Be willing to adjust care plans as family dynamics and resident needs evolve.
Offer compromise solutions that align with both professional care guidelines and family preferences.
By fostering respectful collaboration, AFH providers can resolve conflicts and build stronger family-caregiver relationships.
6. Use Technology to Keep Families Informed
The Challenge:
Families who live far away or have busy schedules may struggle to stay updated on their loved one’s well-being.
Best Practices:
Create a Family Communication Portal: Use a secure online platform where families can access updates, care plans, and progress reports.
Send Regular Digital Updates:
Email or text updates with resident health reports, activity participation, and upcoming events.
Share photos or short videos of residents engaged in activities (with consent).
Implement Digital Care Logs: Provide access to daily or weekly logs detailing medications, therapy sessions, and behavioral notes.
Leveraging technology improves transparency and keeps families actively involved even from a distance.
Conclusion:
Improving family involvement in resident care plans is essential for enhancing resident well-being, strengthening caregiver-family relationships, and ensuring high-quality, personalized care. By actively engaging families through open communication, education, visits, and technology, AFH providers create a collaborative and supportive care environment.
To enhance family participation, AFH providers should:
✅ Establish clear and regular communication channels to keep families informed.
✅ Involve families in care planning meetings to personalize resident care.
✅ Encourage visits, activities, and virtual engagement to maintain connections.
✅ Educate families on resident conditions and care strategies for better collaboration.
✅ Foster a team approach to problem-solving to resolve conflicts respectfully.
✅ Utilize technology to provide real-time updates and progress reports.
By implementing these best practices, AFHs can create a family-centered care approach that benefits residents, caregivers, and loved ones alike.
References:
Re-Imagining Family Involvement in Residential Long-Term Care https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8821144/
Module 5: Resident and Family Engagement: Facilitator Notes https://www.ahrq.gov/hai/quality/tools/cauti-ltc/modules/implementation/long-term-modules/module5/mod5-facguide.html
Interventions promoting family involvement with care homes following placement of a relative with dementia: A systematic review https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8811321/
Resident and Family Engagement: What is it? What are the benefits? https://www.ahrq.gov/hai/quality/tools/cauti-ltc/modules/resources/tools/engage/brochure.html
Role of Family in Assisted Living Care Plans https://www.themckendree.com/blog/role-of-family-in-assisted-living-care-plans
How Can We Increase Residents’ Family Engagement in Elder Care Homes? https://www.tigernix.com/blog/how-increase-residents-family-engagement-elder-care-homes
5 Tips to Integrate Families into Residential Care https://teepasnow.com/blog/5-tips-to-integrate-families-into-residential-care/
The Role Of Family Engagement In Resident Care In Senior Living And Post-Acute Care. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/role-family-engagement-resident-care-senior-living-post-acute-utaae/
Facilitating resident and family engagement in long-term care settings https://www.ringcentral.com/us/en/blog/facilitating-resident-and-family-engagement-in-long-term-care-settings/
How to Maintain Family Connections in Nursing Homes? https://www.hometeammo.com/blog/how-to-maintain-family-connections-in-nursing-homes?9de9aadf_page=9
