Driving Dignity in Wales Your Way Developing the toolkit with practitioners and people using services

The only way we can begin to feel another’s experience is by drawing on our own. Dr David Sheard - Dementia Care Matters 2008

Impact of the Media on people’s perceptions? Identifying positive and negative portrayals of older people or those with disability Exploring the impact such portrayals have on both older people and other members of society Discussing the very different the values and perceptions of dignity that different people have Sharing ideas on how we can stimulate people to question attitudes they may have held for as long as they can remember Driving Dignity in Wales Your Way - Toolkit

‘Respect’ is fundamental to ‘dignity’ How do we maintain respect when we live in a society that isn’t that good at it? We may be able to do it best by changing the language we use Participants identified words that should be ‘removed’ from ‘practice’ vocabulary

The words we use, our tone of voice and our body language may send out message we do not intend Nappies, bibs, feeding ……us and them? Then we are surprised and think people were ‘aggressive for no reason’ Careful use of language isn’t about ‘political correctness’, poor use of language can be a powerful influence over our thoughts and actions that will have a detrimental impact on individuals’ experiences of dignified practice. I will give them more freedom of choice and let them have a say in their care needs

A person centred approach listens to all the people involved and draws them into every aspect of provision It does this through integrated working, trusting relationships between individuals using services and the people who know and work with them, and through individuals being, and ‘knowing’ they are, fully involved. Person centred approaches should be looking at and working with the networks around the individual to make sure the process can be sustained. And it makes the role more rewarding!

Person Centred Approaches are NOT about Forms and lists Control & risk averse policies Endless recording & reporting More Work

Changing the Power Balance When I was Powerful How did I feel?What did I do? When I was Powerless How did I feel?What did I do? 8 Driving Dignity in Wales Your Way - Toolkit

The impact of loss of control…. and our right to feel angry if our dignity is compromised … o When we feel powerful, even if exhausted we can still be assertive o When we feel powerless we may have to use all our resources to stand up for our rights o Other times when we feel threatened and/or powerless we lash out and fight o Sometimes, when we have little self-esteem left we don’t expect to have dignity and we become compliant

We believe:- the power exercise was so popular because it made people realise they had so much power, when many thought they had very little it makes us use our emotional intelligence and feel ‘empathy’ in a ‘real sense’, and When power relationships are removed, a true collaboration and a partnership can develop with an individual

Support systems or networks - we all have them ……. some are bigger and stronger than others they can be our safety nets, but they can feel as if they are stifling us too (particularly in adolescence) they can be ‘comfort blankets’ they can give us confidence and self-esteem but, they could also crush our spirit and joy of life

Family Colleagues Friends Consider your own networks, how do they overlap? Where may those overlaps cause issues? How much control do you have over them? Where do you spend most of your time? Where do you feel most secure? Where do you feel most fulfilled? Where do you have most fun?

Family People who are paid to support or care for me Friends How has the balance of your ‘people’ network changed over your lifetime? How may it change in the future? Who controls any change? How might these changes influence the way you feel about yourself? How might a person's dignity be influenced by shrinking or expanding networks? What role should support services have in expanding networks?

Maybe most importantly o The way we approach someone sends messages visual and verbal – these messages indicate our level of respect for the person o The way people respond to us usually mirrors the way we approach them o The way someone responds also depends very much upon their personal confidence and self-esteem

Active support underpins the delivery of person centred care Doing things together (with not for) It is about developing, maintaining, regaining skills for as long as possible and being responsive It is about sharing experiences and enjoying each other’s company It is about accepting and valuing the person as they are (unconditional positive regard) It is about forming mutually respectful, equal relationships

Active participation … is a way of working that recognises each person’s fundamental right to participate in the activities and relationships of everyday life as independently as possible. The person is acknowledged as ‘the expert’ as is an active partner in their own care or support, rather than a passive recipient, in this way we do not damage the person’s dignity, respect and self-esteem by being overbearing or presumptuous

When do we stop having pride, hopes, dreams & desires? At age 60, 70, 80? After a serious illness? When memory problems start? When you need help with every day living activities ?