Founded in 1981 by a group of residents living in long-term care (LTC) homes in the province of Ontario, Canada, the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC) provides a network to strengthen and elevate the voices of LTC residents through their respective Residents’ Councils. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care, OARC’s work is guided by a Board of Directors comprised of LTC resident leaders, who generously lend their lived experience and expertise. As part of their mandate, OARC supports the formation and sustainability of Residents' Councils to empower residents to participate in the operations of their homes and to be involved in decisions that affect their lives. OARC is also committed to providing education to the broader community about issues that residents are facing.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OARC Board and team have shifted focus to respond to the evolving needs of residents with an emphasis on meaningful connection and psychosocial well-being. The importance of staying connected with friends and family during periods of outbreak and isolation was a clear priority from the start. OARC worked in partnership with other organizations to create a toolkit for LTC homes to facilitate virtual visits using technology. They also created an opportunity for resident peer connection by establishing weekly Resident Forums. These forums bring LTC residents from across Ontario together virtually to connect and share with peers using an online platform. Run by residents serving on OARC’s Board, these weekly discussions provide a lifeline to residents and build community while providing some reassurance and support from peers who are navigating similar life changes brought about by COVID-19.
With the amount of work and information flowing through LTC homes during COVID-19, it became apparent that residents, who are at the heart of the home, were often left out of the communication loop. In response, the OARC team developed a customizable template for LTC owner/operators to ensure that communication of information about COVID-19 was clear, useful, and affirming. OARC also increased communication efforts by circulating printable Bulletins designed to clarify Emergency orders and pertinent directives coming from the Ministry and Ontario Public Health for residents.
While Residents’ Council meetings were temporarily paused as LTC homes focused on resident health and safety and outbreak management, OARC has advocated, with Ministry support, for residents to continue to come together in new and adapted ways. To support this, OARC developed a guidance document entitled Residents’ Councils: Considerations and Strategies for Long-Term Care Homes During Outbreaks (with a companion Question and Answer document) that incorporated direct input from Resident Leaders, Resident Councils’ staff assistants and administrators. The document provides practical ideas and promising practices to sustain a vibrant and effective Resident Council in every home.
While the pandemic has had an undeniable impact on the LTC sector, OARC has remained steadfast in promoting resident-centered culture and continues to collaborate and advocate alongside sector partners to bring issues to the forefront to positively affect change.