Conference: Canadian Association on Gerontology (Oct. 23, 2025) 

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Authors: Sheila Novek, Alexandria Delaney, Isabel Huang 

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Description: Resident councils' rights are protected in provincial laws and policies across Canada, but there is a paucity of research into how resident councils operate and the policies and practices that shape participation within these spaces. This poster examines key tensions underlying resident council policy and practice that reflect competing values and priorities, and come with conflicting consequences.

Conference: Canadian Association on Gerontology (Oct. 23, 2025) 

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Authors: Alexandria Delaney, Sheila Novek, Isabel Huang

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Description: Resident and family councils may help to promote residents’ quality of life, but they also require work from residents and family members – work that remains largely invisible. This poster explores the types of work involved in organizing and sustaining resident and family councils, and how this work is influenced by political structures governing care in Canada.

Conference: Canadian Nutrition Society (May 10, 2025) 

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Authors: Isabel Huang, Sheila Novek, Alexandria Delaney

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Description: Canadian long-term care standards recommend engaging residents in menu planning as a best practice for increasing food satisfaction, but there is limited research into how to do so. This poster describes a novel practice called food tastings, a group activity where different food options are sampled by residents together with staff. 

Conference: Canadian Association on Gerontology (Oct. 24, 2024) 

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Authors: Sheila Novek, Isabel Huang, Laura Funk, Genevieve Thompson, Mary Shariff, Belinda Mayer, Heather Cooke, Alison Phinney 

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Description: Resident councils have been part of the fabric of long-term care homes across Canada for decades, driven, in part, by provincial laws and policies that promote these forums. This presentation explores how council structures (resident-led vs. staff-led), and their regulatory contexts, shape their operation and impact. 

Conference: Canadian Association on Gerontology (Oct. 24, 2024) 

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Authors: Isabel Huang, Sheila Novek

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Description: Food dissatisfaction in care homes is well-documented, but few studies have considered the role of resident councils in advocating for changes in food quality and the overall dining experience. Findings suggest that residents affected the most change within food and menu planning and mealtime experience, while nutrition care and eating assistance received less attention and were perceived as specialized, individual concerns. 

Event: Alzheimer Society of Canada (Apr. 24, 2024) 

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Authors: Sheila Novek, Isabel Huang, Laura Funk, Genevieve Thompson, Mary Shariff, Belinda Mayer, Heather Cooke, Alison Phinney 

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Description: This webinar explores how resident and family councils work and their role in decision-making processes within care homes. The research highlights the lived experiences of residents, families and staff who engage with resident and family councils, challenges they encounter, and promising practices that support meaningful engagement and advocacy. 

Conference: UBC Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference (Mar. 16, 2024) 

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Authors: Isabel Huang, Sheila Novek 

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Description: Food dissatisfaction in care homes is well-documented, but few studies have considered the role of resident councils in advocating for changes in food quality and the overall dining experience. Findings suggest that residents affected the most change within food and menu planning and mealtime experience, while nutrition care and eating assistance received less attention and were perceived as specialized, individual concerns. 

Conference: Canadian Association on Gerontology (Oct. 26, 2023) 

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Authors: Sheila Novek, Isabel Huang, Heather Cooke, Alison Phinney, Mary Shariff, Genevieve Thompson 

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Description: Despite resident and family councils being commonplace in nursing homes, little is known about the extent to which they enable meaningful forms of engagement. This presentation compares the level of engagement afforded by each council and discusses promising practices and barriers to meaningful engagement.