Learn How to Build Resident Committees – Dementia-Inclusive Resident Committees – Where Everyone Belongs
Building Purpose and Belonging:
How to Design and Start a Dementia-Inclusive Resident Committee
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Register a Group of 3 or More – $35/Person
Before we get to the interesting stuff about the conference let’s clear something up:
The Difference Between Resident Councils and Resident Committees
While many care settings report having “resident committees,” they often confuse them with “resident councils” — and the two are not the same.
A resident council is typically a formal group that meets to discuss concerns, share feedback with administration, and raise issues affecting residents as a whole. These councils are valuable for advocacy and resident voice, but they can be limited in scope and participation, especially for individuals living with dementia.
In contrast, resident committees are purpose-driven, action-oriented groups formed around specific interests or tasks. These might include a Social Committee, Decorating Committee, Pet Therapy Committee, or Gardening Committee, the list is endless.
The focus is less on governance and more on engagement, collaboration, and meaningful contribution. These groups offer residents a chance to take part in shaping daily life—not just talking about it, but actively doing.
Most importantly, resident committees can be designed to include people living with dementia, with adapted roles and flexible participation.
Someone might greet visitors, help choose music, arrange flowers, or prepare for an event—all based on their current strengths. This kind of involvement is often not possible in the structure of a typical resident council meeting, which tends to rely on verbal communication, memory, and abstract discussion.
The key difference between dementia-inclusive (or dementia-friendly) resident committees and resident councils?
Resident councils talk about what’s happening in the home.
Resident committees help make things happen.
Both are valuable—but they serve very different purposes. And when it comes to meaningful engagement, committees offer powerful opportunities for inclusion, especially for those who are too often left out.
“I loved the workshop, and am planning to put what I learned in to action.”
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How to Build Resident Committees That Include People Living with Dementia
Creating dementia-inclusive committees is a powerful way to provide meaningful roles, promote belonging, and enrich daily life in long-term care, assisted living, and community settings.
You’ll learn how to design and support inclusive groups where residents with and without dementia collaborate on real tasks—planning events, welcoming newcomers, decorating for holidays, selecting music, and much more.
What You’ll Learn:
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The Why: How committees support identity, inclusion, and purpose—especially for those living with dementia
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The How: Step-by-step guidance on forming, structuring, and sustaining committees that work
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The Roles: Dozens of adaptable committee roles like Greeter, Encourager, Card Writer, or Activity Assistant
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The Support: How to use visual cues, flexible participation, and one-on-one introductions to help residents succeed
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The Committees: Examples include Social Planning, Reminiscence & Storytelling, Decorating, Gardening, Pet Therapy, Spiritual Connections, and more
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The Mindset Shift: A Montessori-informed perspective that focuses on ability, not impairment
Small Adaptations. Big Impact.
Even residents with advanced dementia can:
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Help arrange flowers or decorations
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Greet others with a smile or handshake
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Choose between two options using visual aids
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Participate in group planning with a support person
With the right environment and encouragement, every resident can contribute in some way.
“We don’t wait for residents to fit our system—we shape our system to fit them.”
Who Should Attend:
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LTC, Assisted Living, or Memory Care staff
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Activity, Life Enrichment, Recreation professionals
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Dementia program leaders, Behavioral Supports Ontario (BSO) teams, or behavioral support staff
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Community organizations working toward inclusion
Why It Matters:
Committees that include people living with dementia create:
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Stronger social bonds
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A shared sense of purpose
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A more vibrant, connected community
“Residents aren’t just recipients of care. They’re contributors to community life.”
Meaningful Roles for All:
How to Design and Start a Dementia-Inclusive Resident Committee
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Register a Group of 3 or More – $35/Person
Checklist for you…
Pet Therapy Dementia-Inclusive Resident Committee Checklist
For Recreation/Activity and Life Enrichment Staff
Use this checklist to help you establish and run an ongoing resident committee focused on pet therapy visits. The committee should give residents — including residents living with dementia — a meaningful voice in how pet visits are planned, experienced and improved.
1. Before Starting the Committee
Clarify the Purpose
- I understand that this is an ongoing resident committee, not a one-time discussion or activity
- I can explain the purpose simply:
“This committee helps residents have a say in how pet visits happen in our home.”
- I have identified areas where residents can genuinely influence decisions.
- I have confirmed that residents’ ideas and recommendations will be taken seriously and followed up whenever possible.
Check Organizational Requirement
- I have reviewed our organization’s policies regarding visiting animals or pet therapy.
- I know who is responsible for approving therapy animals and handlers.
- I have considered infection prevention requirements.
- I have considered allergies.
- I have considered residents who may be afraid of or uncomfortable around animals.
- I have considered mobility and falls risks.
- I know any and all rules regarding residents feeding or giving treats to animals.
- I know how resident consent and preferences regarding animal visits are documented.
2. Identify Potential Committee Members
- I have identified residents who may be interested in animals, pets or pet therapy.
- I have ensured the committee will include residents who are living with dementia.
- I have considered residents who may communicate preferences through behaviour, facial expression, gestures or supported choices rather than lengthy verbal discussion.
- I have aimed for a manageable group size.
Suggested size: approximately 4–8 residents.
- I have personally invited residents rather than relying only on a written announcement.
- I have explained the committee in simple language.
Example:
“We’re starting a committee – a group of residents to help decide how our pet visits should work. Would you like to be part of it?”
- I have recorded who is interested.
- I have noted any support individual members may need to participate successfully.
3. Prepare the Meeting Environment
Before each meeting:
- Choose a familiar, comfortable location.
- Reduce unnecessary noise and distractions.
- Arrange seating so residents can easily see one another.
- Make sure residents can hear the facilitator.
- Make sure lighting is adequate.
- Have name tags available.
- Have water or refreshments available if appropriate.
- Avoid scheduling the meeting at a time when members are normally tired, receiving care or attending another preferred activity.
Prepare Visual and Concrete Supports
Consider having:
- Photographs of different animals
- Pictures of previous pet visits
- A leash
- A pet brush
- A ball or pet toy
- Examples of treats, if permitted
- Simple YES/NO cards
- Two-choice picture cards
- Large-print agenda
- Paper or board for recording decisions
4. Plan a Simple Agenda
Keep the meeting focused and predictable.
Suggested Meeting Structure
- Welcome everyone.
- Remind members why the committee exists.
- Review what happened as a result of the previous meeting.
- Discuss one or two main issues.
- Ask members for their preferences and ideas.
- Summarize what the committee decided.
- Explain what will happen next.
- Thank residents for their contribution.
Suggested meeting length: approximately 20–30 minutes.
Longer is not necessarily better.
It’s fine if someone needs/wants to leave before the meeting adjourns.
5. Run the Meeting in a Dementia-Inclusive Way
How I Communicate
During the meeting:
- I speak slowly and clearly.
- I discuss one idea at a time.
- I allow enough time for residents to respond.
- I avoid rushing to fill silence.
- I use familiar, concrete language.
- I avoid unnecessary jargon.
- I make eye contact when appropriate.
- I position myself so residents can see me clearly.
- I pay attention to facial expressions, gestures and behaviour as well as spoken answers.
How I Ask Questions
Instead of asking:
“What do you think our pet therapy program should look like?”
We use more concrete questions such as:
- “Would you rather have the animal visit here or in a quieter room?”
- “Would you like the animal to sit beside you?”
- “Do you like small animals or larger ones?”
- “Would you enjoy brushing the dog?”
- “Would you like residents to be able to give the pet a treat?”
- “Would you prefer a group visit or a visit in your room?”
Supported Choice
- When appropriate, I offer two clear choices.
- I use pictures or objects to support the choices.
- I avoid repeatedly asking broad open-ended questions when a resident is having difficulty answering them.
- I recognize that pointing, reaching, smiling, turning away or other responses may communicate a preference.
6. Topics the Committee Can Help Decide
The committee does not have to discuss everything at once.
Over time, members can help with decisions about:
Animals
- Types of animals residents would enjoy meeting
- Preferred animal size
- Familiar animals residents remember from earlier life
- Interest in animals other than the usual ones, where appropriate and permitted (Llamas, for example.)
Type of Visit
- Group visits
- Individual visits
- Room visits
- Outdoor visits
- Informal visits in common areas
Timing
- Preferred days
- Preferred times
- Length of visits
- Frequency of visits
Activities
- Petting
- Brushing
- Walking with the animal where safe
- Playing simple games
- Giving treats where permitted
- Talking about pets residents have owned
- Looking at photographs
- Helping prepare for the animal’s visit
- Welcoming the animal and handler
Comfort and Choice
- How residents can indicate they do not want an animal visit
- How residents who are afraid of animals will be supported
- Where quieter visits should take place
- How residents who prefer individual interaction can participate
7. Make Sure Residents Have Real Influence
After each discussion, ask yourself:
- Did residents actually have a choice?
- Were there decisions they could influence?
- Did staff listen rather than simply explain what had already been decided?
- Were residents living with dementia given appropriate support to participate?
- Did I avoid answering on behalf of residents unnecessarily?
- Did I capture different opinions rather than assuming the group had to agree?
- Can I identify at least one action that will result from today’s meeting?
If nothing can change as a result of the discussion, consider whether the topic belongs on the committee agenda.
8. Record the Meeting
Keep documentation simple.
Date:
Residents Present:
Staff Facilitator:
What We Discussed:
What Residents Told Us:
Decisions or Recommendations:
Actions to Be Taken:
| Action | Who Will Do It? | By When? | Completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| __________________ | __________________ | __________ | [ ] |
| __________________ | __________________ | __________ | [ ] |
| __________________ | __________________ | __________ | [ ] |
9. Follow Through After the Meeting
This is one of the most important parts of the process.
- Complete the actions agreed upon whenever possible.
- Speak with other departments if their involvement is required.
- Follow up with pet therapy handlers where appropriate.
- Record any changes that were made because of resident input.
- Note recommendations that could not be implemented.
- Be prepared to explain why a recommendation could not be implemented.
- Observe resident responses during future pet visits.
- Bring observations back to the committee.
10. Begin the Next Meeting by Closing the Loop
At the next meeting:
- Tell everyone what they discussed previously.
- Tell them what happened because of their recommendations.
- Use photographs or other cues if helpful.
- Ask for feedback – whether the change worked.
For example:
“Last time you told us that some residents would prefer the dog to visit them individually. We tried individual visits this month. How did that go?”
- Ask whether anything should be changed again.
This helps residents see that the committee has a real purpose and that their participation matters.
11. Regular Committee Review
Every few meetings, ask yourself:
- Are the right residents being invited?
- Are residents participating meaningfully?
- Are meetings short enough?
- Are visual supports helping?
- Are questions concrete enough?
- Are residents being offered meaningful choices?
- Are staff doing too much of the talking?
- Are committee recommendations leading to action?
- Are we reporting back to residents?
- Do residents appear to enjoy being members of the committee?
- Should additional residents be invited?
- Is there anything residents would like the committee to do differently?
12. Important Reminder for the Facilitator
A dementia-inclusive resident committee is not simply an activity about pets.
Residents are the committee members.
The staff member’s role is to make participation possible by providing the right environment, communication support, choices and follow-through.
The goal is not to obtain perfect meeting minutes or lengthy verbal discussions.
The goal is to make sure residents can:
- influence decisions,
- express preferences,
- contribute ideas,
- see the results of their input, and
- continue participating in something that matters to them.
Resident voice should lead the committee.
Staff support should make that voice easier to hear.
Important Information: Understanding Our Role
While we aim to provide helpful information in the spirit of education and support, please note that the content on this website is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or individualized guidance.
Checklists are not exhaustive. Examples and suggested approaches are general in nature and may not be suitable for every person or situation. You should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any health-related concerns.
