.10 Family and Resident Council Requirements.

A. The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program shall support the organization and development of family and resident councils in nursing homes.

B. Organizing a Resident or Family Council.

(1) The Ombudsman Program shall promote the development of family and resident councils in nursing homes in their local jurisdictions.

(2) If a nursing home does not have a resident council, the local ombudsman shall provide assistance to the residents and the facility in developing an active resident council.

(3) If a nursing home does not have an active family council, the local ombudsman shall provide assistance and make recommendations to the family members and facility in developing an active family council.

(4) Local ombudsman involvement in the development of resident or family councils may include:

(a) Providing information about resident or family councils to residents, family members, or the nursing home;

(b) Referring residents, family members, or the nursing home to appropriate resources for assistance;

(c) Speaking to groups on the role of the Ombudsman Program, family councils; or resident councils; and

(d) When invited, participating in organizational meetings for family councils and resident councils.

C. Involvement in Existing Resident or Family Councils.

(1) The local ombudsman shall inform the head of each resident and family council in the service area of:

(a) The role of the Ombudsman Program;

(b) The availability of the Program to assist resident and family councils; and

(c) The topics or subject matter on which the local ombudsman is able to provide training.

(2) The local ombudsman shall make every effort to attend a resident or family council meeting to which the ombudsman has been invited.