Family Council
Minnesota Veterans Home Family Council - Minneapolis
The Family Council is a volunteer organization that consists of family members who have, or have had, a loved one living at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis. Family Council Officers are volunteers, and elected annually. The vision of the Family Council is “families supporting families”. Family Councils are mandated by law; specifically, Federal Statutes 42 C.F.R. Section 483.15(c), and Minnesota Statutes Sections 144.651, Subd. 27, 144A.10, Subd. 8b, and 144A.101, Subd.6.
About the Family Council
In general, the Family Council provides a formal vehicle for communication and information sharing between administration, family members, staff, Residents, and family friends, through which the following is accomplished.
- Developing projects aimed at improving the quality of life, wellbeing, and happiness of our loved ones, as well as for all Residents of the nursing home.
- Providing input on nursing home decisions.
- Safeguarding nursing home consumer and Resident rights.
- Opening channels of communication between Residents, families, nursing home staff and the administration, as well as the general public.
- Providing information and support to families of past, current, and prospective Residents.
- Promoting goodwill and fellowship among members.
The Family Council has undertaken several projects aimed at improving the quality of our loved ones’ lives, such as the following, for example.
- Holding monthly meetings, which are online via Zoom.
- Producing and distributing a monthly newsletter, as well as informational handouts.
- Sponsoring musical entertainment and other events at the Vets Home.
- Providing Welcome Baskets to new Residents.
- Sending sympathy cards to the families whose loved one has passed away.
Details
Family Council members meet on the second Saturday of each month, via Zoom. There are no dues. The meetings are held from 12:15pm till 2 p.m. The business part of our meeting goes from 12:15pm till 1:15pm. Then at 1:15pm, speakers talk with us about relevant topics, such as nursing, medical and dental care, the ombudsman’s role, social workers, food, laundry, care conferences, and housekeeping. Please refer to our monthly newsletter for each Family Council Officer’s contact information. Printed copies of the newsletter are mailed to families each month, along with their monthly invoices. Or you can receive the newsletter electronically by emailing your request to mvhfamcouncil@gmail.com.
This is your invitation to attend the next meeting. Please join with other family members and friends on the Family Council to participate in this ultimate partnership with the Veterans Home Administration. In fact, as your loved one’s representative at the monthly meetings – your ideas, your concerns, and your successes – all of these are invaluable input, about which family members and friends will appreciate hearing. Without a doubt, you are a vital link in the chain that delivers dignified and respectful care to your loved one, and by attending Family Council Meetings, that chain is strengthened. Please plan to join us at the next meeting!
Additional Information
