Welcome to Texas Advocates for Nursing Home Residents (TANHR), a non-profit, volunteer organization advocating improvement in the quality of life and care of Texas nursing home residents.
TANHR is not associated with or funded by nursing homes or health care companies.
The mission of TANHR as an organization is to make a positive difference in nursing home care, social welfare and the environmental conditions of nursing home residents. We accomplish this mission through the following means: TANHR communicates, through disbursement of information via electronic technology, on legislative changes, recent nursing happenings, upcoming educational programs and family council activities. TANHR regularly visits nursing home and assisted living residents. If there is visual evidence of unacceptable resident care, we address it to the staff and work to get it resolved. TANHR members counsel with family members on issues and suggest options that address their issues. TANHR educates families regarding nursing home regulations, resident placement and where to report abuse and neglect. We sponsor educational programs, assist in organizing family councils and speak to family councils. TANHR will provide one free “Nursing Home Family Council Manual” per family council organization.
The TANHR newsletter is published quarterly and is available for download here. Please submit any comments or suggestions regarding the newsletter to
In 2007, Senator Royce West introduced SB131, Nursing Home Family Council Bill, to the Texas Legislature. During the 2007 Texas Legislative Session, the bill was passed and it became law effective September 1, 2008.
Texas Advocates for Nursing Home Residents supported this bill and has seen an increase in family councils in long-term care facilities.
There is strength in numbers with families working together. This unity has positive benefits for residents. The family council is a vehicle for the positive changes that are needed to provide adequate and beneficial care to a facility’s residents.
Family councils are independently organized groups consisting of family members, legal guardians and friends of residents in long-term care facilities. They regularly meet to improve conditions for residents, provide support to other family members, and increase awareness of regulations governing nursing homes.
The specific activities of family councils vary from facility to facility. Many family councils sponsor educational programs, plan parties for the residents, visit residents that have no family members, visit other council members’ residents, award a staff member for outstanding care to residents with a gift or check, and provide other positive benefits for the residents.
Family councils study regulations governing nursing homes and address unacceptable care when it is observed. The staff members are required to correct any violations.
Each family council’s grievance committee records the concerns and issues voice by the council at each meeting and then provides this list to the facility administrator. The administrator must reply within five days and make a reasonable effort to resolve any valid issues.
Nursing homes are required to work more closely with family councils including providing a representative of the family council with a copy of the final statement of violations identified in the annual survey. In addition, the nursing facility is required to consider the views and recommendations of the family council and make reasonable efforts to resolve the council’s grievances.
Texas is the sixth state in the nation to pass a Nursing Home Family Council Law.
Families and residents have the right to participate in developing a meaningful and effective resident care plan. Families may request a Care Plan meeting with the social worker if they see a change in their residents’ medical needs, loss of mental or physical abilities or they devlop a fever or allergies or other changes.
It is important that families monitor the proposed changes developed at the Care Plan meeting and that the staff follows through with the changes.
For more information on a Care Plan meeting, call TANHR at (972) 572-6330 or (800) 826-4748.
Texas Advocates for Nursing Home Residents (TANHR)
P.O. Box 68 DeSoto, TX 75123-0068
Call our toll free number: (888) TANHR4U [888-826-4748]
In the Dallas area, call us at (972) 572-6330
Our fax number: (972) 572-7954
E-mail: