If people feel their identity and value as a human being is not respected, this can stop them from enjoying life and living comfortably during a period of care.
There are 8 factors related to dignity identified by the Social Care Institute for Excellence:
- Choice and control.
- Communication.
- Eating and nutritional care.
- Pain management.
- Personal hygiene.
- Practical assistance.
- Privacy.
- Social inclusion.
Methods for upholding dignity are usually small, seemingly inconsequential, but to a person who has resigned the majority of their independence to a stranger, they mean the world.
Let’s take a look at 9 examples, all of which derive from the dignity factors listed above.
1. Let people choose their own clothing.
There is nothing more stifling to a person’s identity than having to wear clothes that are not ‘them’. People have a strong sense of what style of clothing suits their personality and personal preferences, so to deny them the ability to choose is harmful to their dignity.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t assist them. With their approval you can help them dress, but let them pick what to wear. This includes the physical act of choosing. Unless they ask you to, don’t lay out an outfit for them just for the sake of speed. Give them time to select their own from the wardrobe.
2. Involve them in decisions relating to their care.
You might think it’s more straight forward to simply go ahead with decisions about changes to the way people receive care, rather than try explaining it to them. But that is harmful to a person’s dignity: it makes them feel disconnected and undervalued. Their lack of control over the situation is dehumanising; they’ll feel like they’re just an object over which you have complete authority.
People appreciate being included as it gives them the sense that their opinion and preferences are respected. Therefore, be sure to involve them in any and all discussions that affect their care. This includes decisions about their medication (e.g. which type to take and how to take it), day-to-day changes (e.g. a new Care Assistant or changes to their home’s layout), and meal plans (this includes dietary requirements and preferences).
3. Address the person properly.
Another crucial part of a person’s identity is their name – they are how we identify one another. Therefore, making assumptions about which title or name a person would like to be addressed by – even if you think your assumption is the polite choice – is disrespectful to their identity, which in turn damages dignity.
This is particularly important for the elderly, many of whom have certain expectations about how people should refer to them. So always ask a client how they’d like to be addressed. Similarly, address them with a polite, amiable voice and don’t adopt a patronising tone.
4. Make food look and taste nice.
For clients in receipt of care – as for many people – mealtimes can often be the highlight of their day. Nothing is more disheartening than having an unspiring meal. Imagine being presented with an unappetising plate of food – both in terms of look and taste – every day for weeks, months, maybe even years on end.
As mentioned earlier, involve people when creating meal plans – they can offer suggestions, including their favourite dishes. Cooking skills are essential as well as fresh, quality food ingredients. Always make the effort to ensure food is well-presented.
5. Respect personal space and possessions.
You are a Care Assistant providing care to a care recipient. Just because you’re in charge of their care, it does not mean you can barge into their personal space without asking for permission. Respecting a client’s privacy in is of utmost importance: being in such close quarters with people they are unfamiliar with can already feel claustrophobic without your lack of consideration.
So unless they are incapable of giving permission or it’s an emergency, always knock or ask to come in before entering a client’s home or their bedroom.
Likewise, don’t move or rifle through their personal belongings without permission. Even when cleaning for example, remember to respect item positions and space -ask them if it’s okay for you to move their items while you clean. The simple act of asking makes people feel respected and more open to giving you permission, and instils trust. Be sure to put everything back where it was when you’re done.
6. Handle hygiene activities sensitively.
You may be used to seeing people’s unclothed bodies every day, but the client will not be used to revealing theirs so frequently. If you need to assist a person with bathing and dressing/undressing, you must handle the situation with tact. Understand that they will be self-conscious and very self-aware when undressed.
Above all, you must ask for consent before you engage in any activities involving their body. Explain what you’re doing as you’re doing it and engage in conversation to make the situation less uncomfortable – having a chat will reduce how hyperaware they are about their body. If they don’t want to talk, ask if they’d like you to put on some music or the TV for background noise.
7. Promote social activities.
Being stuck at home can leave a person feeling shut off from the outside world. Particularly for those who have an extroverted personality, this can be extremely stifling and damaging to their identity and dignity. They may end up feeling like they are simply a task for Care Assistants to complete.
Having a social life instils them with a sense of purpose and satisfaction, thus improving their quality of life. So you should take it upon yourself to create opportunities for people in your care to engage in social activities, whether it be inside or outside the premises. Contact with family, eating out with friends, or getting involved in local groups are all good examples. Also, encourage them to adopt hobbies and provide them with the means and equipment to do so, such as crossword puzzles, knitting or art supplies.
8. Know how to detect pain.
Treating pain can be tricky. Older people are more likely to experience pain but less likely to complain or want medication. This combination can leave the elderly in a great deal of pain which will distract them and hinder their ability to enjoy the remainder of their life.
Ideally you will be educated on how to identify signs of pain without being told. Restlessness, social isolation, and avoidance are just a few examples. Detecting pain is easier if the person is seen by the same Care Assistant regularly, since trends and changes in behaviour will be more apparent. It also enables you to build a relationship with the person, so they’ll feel more willing to telling you about any pain.
9. Have a friendly chat.
Your life as a Care Assistant probably feels very hectic, especially if you have to run back and forth between several clients a day. But for a person in receipt of care, it could be quite boring or uneventful. You likely talk to dozens of clients throughout the day – including other Care Assistants – but depending on their circumstances, many clients might only talk to one person a day: you.
A five or ten minute chat will fulfil their craving for social interaction and lift their spirits. Let them lead the conversation if they want to, but don’t just nod along until you have an opportunity to leave. Really listen and interact with them; show interest in what they have to share. When you have to move on, let them know politely and reassure them that you’ll continue the chat next time. And be sure to do so.
