How resident committees function in low-level residential aged care facilities

Abstract

Objective: To investigate factors affecting the functioning of resident committees in South Australian low-level residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Methods: Observation of two consecutive resident committee meetings in 18 low-level RACFs. Results: Most meetings were informal. Only one-third had an agenda, and although all had minutes, only half provided them to residents. Most meetings were scheduled monthly, but because of postponements, meetings were held on average every 7 weeks. Many meeting rooms did not allow residents to see and hear comfortably. Most chairpersons were staff and only one chairperson had formal training in conducting meetings. Only 21% of first meeting topics, which mostly focused on resident complaints, resulted in solutions at the second meeting. Resident dissatisfaction was evident with meeting environments, procedures and outcomes. Conclusion: There is considerable scope for improving a number of environmental and procedural factors affecting the functioning of resident committees.