Partners in Progress - Resident Run Conferences
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Partners In Progress Purpose
A critical component of promoting resident empowerment and leadership is for residents to plan conferences specifically to address their concerns, needs and interests. Resident empowerment means the opportunity to create, to express and teach others. This type of empowerment includes open dialogue in a setting that is comfortable. The ultimate benefit of expression is a stronger healthier person. Eighty percent of residents in nursing homes have no family and therefore the camaraderie of resident discussion is vital.
To elicit resident participation the Resident Councils of Washington has a 4 step approach. Many residents are limited to decision making due to their own health challenges and depend on either their families or their own autonomous organization. The Resident Councils of Washington is the resident autonomous organization voice statewide and is quickly becoming recognized nationwide.
Steps include the following:
• The first step is to empower residents in their own home, encourage involvement in their own resident council…empowerment at the facility level.
• Step two is involvement of residents in their own local communities, networking with other residents, being visible and having a voice in local government relations.
• Step three is involvement of residents at the state level; participating in legislation that affects them, educating legislators as to their needs, regulations, participating in conferences with other residents through conference calls and Internet resources.
• Step four is developing national representation of residents from all states.. . To achieve this undertaking RCW has begun by bringing advocacy training to regions of Washington, thus the beginning of the plan for “Partners in Progress”. The stronger resident empowerment at the facility level, community level and state level should ultimately result in a more visible, viable and respected resident voice.
Partners In Progress goals are multiple:
• To give residents the opportunity to plan and direct statewide conferences thereby developing their leadership skills.
• To provide residents with a forum to share their thoughts and experiences on how to improve the quality of care and life in a long-term care facility.
• To listen to stakeholders (residents, management, families and ombudsmen) who have worked in partnership to solve issues and meet mutual goals of a truly resident centered home.
• To share success stories
• To prioritize issues of concern, educate as to creative solutions; participants think creatively and develop leader teams that have fun and make a difference.
RCW with its experience of 7 years sponsoring, developing and improving resident Partners in Progress conferences is anxious to share its success with other states. It is time for all residents to have the same support. Think of the power resident councils have as a national community, the ability to share their skills, education, beliefs and passions no matter where they live.
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Partners In Progress
Resident Conferences
2008 |
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