SCIE Practice guide 09: Dignity in care

Dignity challenge

9. Assist people to maintain confidence and a positive self-esteem

By this we mean:

The care and support provided encourages individuals to participate as far as they feel able. Care aims to develop the self-confidence of the person receiving services, actively promoting health and well-being. Adequate support is provided in eating and drinking. Staff and people receiving services are encouraged to maintain a respectable personal appearance.

Dignity tests:

• Are personal care and eating environments well designed for their purpose, comfortable and clean?
• Do we maximise individual abilities at all times during eating and personal care and hygiene activities?
• Do we ensure people receiving services wear their own clothes wherever possible rather than gowns etc.?
• While respecting the wishes of the person receiving services as far as possible, are they respectable at all times and are staff tidy and well presented?

Some ideas from practice:

• Modesty preserved
• Putting therapeutic skills to work
• Drama: fun with a purpose
• Involvement Workshop (Ashfield Community Hospital)

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