Dignity: making it happen

1. Dignity: making it happen Annie Stevenson Head of Older People’s Services Elaine Cass Practice Development Manager

2. Workshop aim Examine how dignity can be made fundamental to care provision by identifying our own barriers and solutions

4. Overview of selected research • What dignity means: a state, quality or manner worthy of esteem or respect; and (by extension) self-respect. Dignity in care, therefore, means the kind of care, in any setting, which supports and promotes, and does not undermine, a person’s self-respect regardless of any difference.

5. What protects dignity? • resilience • older people’s rights, • person centred care

6. What threatens dignity? • ageism • discrimination • abuse

7. Respect

8. Respect • training and induction (delivery involving older people) • zero tolerance of negative attitudes towards older people • person-centred and not service or task-oriented. • 'time to talk’ • involve • intergenerational work

9. Communication • information • acceptable levels of both spoken and written English • culturally appropriate • don’t make assumptions, always ask • communication training - dementia • listen

10. Social inclusion • social networks • transport • respect and utilise people’s skills • community presence

11. Autonomy • equality • control • accessible information • take time to support decision making • participation in service development • previous history and preferences • advocacy • DP/IB

12. Privacy • confidentiality, information on a ‘need to know’ basis • respect personal and sexual relationships in conjunction with careful assessment of risk • choose interpreters with the consent of the service user • permission to enter someone’s personal space, access to personal possessions and documents • privacy for conversations, telephone calls, mail • single-sex facilities • discreet service provision

13. Hygiene and personal appearance • maintain personal hygiene, appearance, living environment, to personal standards • lifestyle choices • don’t make assumptions about appropriate standards of hygiene for individuals

14. Mealtimes and nutrition • routine nutritional screening • food accessible between mealtimes • time to eat – staffing levels • discreet assistance • choice to socialise or eat in private • don’t make assumptions about people’s preferences always ask • staff with the time and the skills to prepare a freshly cooked meal of choice • good quality food that is appetising • facilities for people to make drinks and snacks • access to water

15. Complaints • people feel confident to complain • staff and managers view complaints as a means of ensuring that the service is responsive, and not as a threat • problems are picked up at an early stage and lessons are learned which lead to service improvements • poor practice is highlighted and rectified • vulnerable people are protected and have access to advocacy

16. Whistle blowing • staff awareness • whistleblowing policy • included in induction • staff should be given information on external means of support (such as PCaW).

17. Conclusion – a culture of good practice • dignity is the cornerstone • competent staff, effective leadership, genuine participation are the building blocks • SCIE’s resources will help

18. SCIE’s resources • All resources can be downloaded from our website www.scie.org.uk • Most resources are available in hard copy - call 020 7089 6840 • All resources are free

19. Workshop 15 minutes groups of 4 /5 • What are the barriers to ensuring dignity in care? • What are the possible solutions?

20. Sharing ideas 15 minutes • Feedback on discussion and practice examples

21. Summing up Action planning • What will you do when you return to your workplace? • How will you tell whether it makes a difference?