How Resident Councils Can Drive Positive Change in Senior Care Communities

Resident councils play a vital role in many senior care communities, offering residents a formal way to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the places they call home. These councils help foster a sense of belonging, encourage teamwork, and provide a structured channel for resident input. Perhaps most importantly, resident councils can drive meaningful change by identifying opportunities for improvement and helping communities evolve in response to residents’ needs and interests.

Read on to discover how resident councils strengthen community connections, elevate resident voices, and drive meaningful improvements in senior care settings.

The Value of Resident Councils in Senior Living

Karen Caroppoli, senior executive director of The Bristal at Mount Sinai

Resident councils give individuals a space to raise concerns, share ideas, and work together on solutions while also strengthening social bonds. Karen Caroppoli, senior executive director of The Bristal at Mount Sinai, emphasizes the depth of insight residents bring to the table. “Our residents bring a wealth of diverse career paths and professional experiences to the table, and we value their input immensely,” she says. “[Resident councils] empower residents to take an active role in shaping their environment, promoting friendships, and creating a shared sense of purpose.”

For residents, councils also serve as a trusted resource for information and support. Dr. Nancy Allmon, vice president and former president of The Highlands at Wyomissing Resident Council and a board member at The Highlands, has seen firsthand how councils help residents navigate questions or concerns.

“Resident councils are very important to residents because [residents] look at councilmembers as people they can go to for help on issues they’re dealing with or questions they may have,” she explains. “Council members, in return, will share experiences and questions with others, like I do. It’s a sharing experience. As I learn these things, I pass it along to others that can also benefit.”

For instance, Dr. Allmon regularly speaks with residents throughout the community, often in informal settings like hallways. By listening to concerns and following up with answers, she helps ensure residents feel heard and supported.

How Resident Councils Drive Change

Dr. Nancy Allmon, vice president and former president of The Highlands at Wyomissing Resident Council

Resident-led ideas can spark programs that enrich daily life. At The Bristal at Mount Sinai, the resident council has helped launch several initiatives that encourage engagement and reflect resident preferences.

One example is the Bristal Bucks Program, which grew out of a resident suggestion to create a rewards system. Residents earn “Bristal Bucks” for attending programs, leading groups, participating in self-care activities, or volunteering. The bucks can be redeemed at the bi-monthly Bristal Store, which promotes socialization, participation, and convenience.

Residents also play an active role in calendar planning by contributing ideas for monthly programming. They suggest activities, help select restaurants and trip destinations, recommend entertainment vendors, and choose movies, ensuring the schedule aligns with resident interests.

At The Highlands at Wyomissing, the resident council maintains close involvement with six community committees: activities, grounds and maintenance, hospitality, dining enhancements, fitness, and marketing.

“Our president always goes to committee meetings to make sure he or she knows what’s going on,” says Dr. Allmon. “There is a liaison from council who will typically stay with the committee for their three-year term.” This structure allows the council to maintain consistent input and stay informed across multiple areas of community life.

Common Challenges Resident Councils Face

Despite their value, resident councils often encounter limitations. Authority is a common challenge, as councils typically cannot implement changes without approval from community leadership or a governing board. “What councils can do is listen to what residents need and pass that information along to leadership,” Dr. Allmon explains.

Accessibility and inclusivity can also present hurdles. Ensuring that all residents have an opportunity to be heard—especially those who cannot attend meetings—requires thoughtful planning. To address this, The Bristal at Mount Sinai provides microphones, speakers, and Eversound technology to accommodate residents’ hearing needs. “We also encourage respectful dialogue, ensuring everyone has a chance to speak and be heard,” says Caroppoli. “As invited guests, we are mindful of maintaining the integrity of the residents’ narrative while respecting their privacy and adhering to community policies.”

How Communities Can Start and Support Resident Councils

Strong leadership support is essential to launching and sustaining an effective resident council. Dr. Allmon notes that communities must first determine how councils will be funded and supported. “You want these groups to have financial support to get equipment and keep it in good shape,” she says.

Clear communication is another foundational step. “Communication between leadership and residents will get it off the ground,” she says.

Consistency and follow-through also matter. Establishing a regular meeting schedule that works for residents helps reinforce the council’s importance. “If team members are invited to attend, it’s essential they actively participate and demonstrate their commitment to the process,” says Caroppoli. “Reviewing and agreeing on meeting minutes ensures transparency and accountability, while a consistent meeting time reinforces the importance of these councils and shows residents that their voices matter.”

It’s equally as important to put strategies into place to ensure that councils’ concerns and ideas are heard. Caroppoli recommends sharing meeting minutes with department directors and posting them in a central location where residents can review them. At the start of each council meeting, the council should revisit previous minutes to maintain continuity and accountability. “This process is vital because it reinforces to residents that their input is valued and that their suggestions can lead to meaningful changes within the community,” she says.

At The Highlands at Wyomissing, collaboration between leadership and the resident council has been especially effective. Dr. Allmon, who serves on the board, regularly discusses ways the two groups can work together. “We’ve got a great relationship here. I don’t know if that happens in other senior living communities,” she says.

Ultimately, resident councils give individuals a meaningful voice in shaping their daily lives. That sense of involvement is central to a thriving community. “We have programs almost every night, including musical programs,” Dr. Allmon says. “We all have different things. It’s very important to make sure residents are actively involved.”

Paige Cerulli

Paige Cerulli is a contributing writer to i Advance Senior Care.