DIGNITY

Kindness, Humanity and Respect

 DIGNITY

=> Dignity is the ability to stand strong

and tall in the face of adversity.
The most
=> Dignity is taking a stand for your
important
belief without closing your mind to
takeaway
another’s opinion
everyone
has to => Dignity is being an example by your
remember deeds
is that
=> Dignity will manifest itself in the
warmth of your smile, the depth of your
love, and the flow of your kindness
The Carer’s role in providing Dignity in Care

❏ Zero tolerance of all forms of abuse

❏ Respect clients as you would Family members.
❏ Provide personalised service to each individual
❏ Enable client maintain a high level of independence,
choice, control and self-esteem
❏ Listen and support people to express their needs and
wants and clarify
❏ Respect people's right to privacy
❏ Make people feel able to complain without fear of
retribution
❏ Engage with family members and other carers as care
partners
❏ Act to alleviate people's loneliness and isolation
When Clients don’t feel Dignified in Care:
1. They feel neglected or ignored whilst receiving
care
2. The Carer make them feel worthless or a
nuisance to them
3. The Client feels treated more as an object
than as a person
4. They feel that they have lost their privacy
5. They feel they don’t get adequate support to
use facilities
6. They feel forced to do something just so the
Carer can tick done.
7. They feel disrespected by the way they are
addressed or the low quality treatment
8. They feel rushed, not listened to, or cared for
This is the take way…..
 The ABCDs
of
DIGNITY in Care
The ABCDs…….

Attitude
Dialogue DIGNITY Behaviour

Compassion
 1. ATTITUDE
Attitude is how our preconceived ideas affect our actions.
As a a PCA these perceptions are sometimes subjective, and may or may not
reflect the reality of our clients . And yet, they can have a profound effect on
those we are entrusted with caring for.
For example:
● When dealing with a confused, homeless person, some people may
automatically assume that the person is intoxicated before considering
that a severe health problem may be involved.

● When a person is very frail and elderly, some people may not realize that
the person may be as mentally alert and intellectually active as they are.

● Some people may assume that everyone else is upset by, or takes pleasure
in, the same things that they do.

So as a Personal Care Aide, we need to really watch our attitude.

 2. Behaviour

Behaviour is the actual way in which we act or conduct ourselves.

As PCAs our behaviour towards our clients can:

● Our behavior can enhance trust and connection with our clients.

● A positive carer’s behaviour around clients, can help ease the client’s pain.

● The PCA’s right behaviour can increase the client’s sense of self-worth and

confidence.

● The right behaviour when dealing with our clients showcases our professionalism.

● Professionalism, kindness and connectedness in while maintaining.

● A competent and professional PCA will exhibit the right behaviours by for example:

○ Improving the tone of contact and positive communication with clients.

○ Performing small but powerful acts of kindness

○ Always asking for and receiving permission before giving care

Kindness and respect must be the basis of our behaviour at all times.
 3. Compassion

The secret of Client’s care is in caring.

Compassion isn’t something a person knows – it’s something a

person feels. It is a deep awareness of the suffering of
another, coupled with the wish to relieve it.

For a PCA, examples include:

➔ An understanding look

➔ A gentle touch on the shoulder, arm or hand

➔ Some form of communication, spoken or unspoken, that
acknowledges the person and their human challenges.

As a personal care aide, Compassion is the secret of

caring for our clients.
 4. Dialogue
Dialogue promotes meaningful conversation or communication
between the client and the Personal Care Aides.

Examples include:

➔ Say things to acknowledge personhood

➔ Get to know the Client as a unique individual

➔ Discuss with the client on how and what you can do to give
them best care possible?
➔ Paying attention and listening to the client to understand
their issues.
➔ Preserve the client’s dignity by ensuring you get their
perspective as you support them.
➔ Always have friendly, encouraging dialogue with Clients.
As a PCA, effective dialogue is the first step toward
understanding and responding to our client’s needs.
 The seven elements of DIGNITY in CARE.

D - Diligence in care
I - Inclusion – making the client feel included in the solution
G - Good and gracious to your clients.
N - Notify clients always especially when making changes
I - Independence, support them to act on their own
T - Trust, build trust with your clients
Y - You, yes its all about you and the way treat others
Every human wants to be treated with dignity,
irrespective of their situation.
 Please join me in being a
Champion of Dignity in Care.