What are the 10 Dignity Do’s, and what is a Dignity Champion?
Michaela Prime • July 22, 2019
The 10 Dignity Do’s
The 10 Dignity Do’s
- Have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse
- Support people with the same respect you would want for yourself or a member of your family
- Treat each person as an individual by offering a personalized service
- Enable people to maintain the maximum possible level of independence, choice and control
- Listen and support people to express their needs and wants
- Respect people’s right to privacy
- Ensure people feel able to complain without fear of retribution
- Engage with family members and carers as care partners
- Assist people to maintain confidence and positive self-esteem
- Act to alleviate people’s loneliness and isolation
Why I became a Dignity Champion
A Dignity Champion is someone who believes passionately that being treated with dignity is a basic human right, not an optional extra. We believe that care services must be compassionate, person centred, as well as efficient.
What does a Dignity Champion do?
Dignity Champions are those in a care organisation that champion the 10 Dignity Do’s and:
- Stand up and challenge disrespectful behaviour
- Act as role models by treating other people with respect, particularly those who are more vulnerable
- Raise issues regarding dignity to improve the way that services are organised and delivered
- Influence and inform colleagues on best practice
- Listen to and understand the views and experiences of those in care
So far over 100,000 people have signed up to be Dignity Champions, all pledging to challenge poor care, to act as good role models and, through specific guidelines issued by the campaign, to educate and inform all those working around them.
The wellbeing of our Service users and staff is our highest priority. Although the number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK is increasing, we will always take our caring responsibilities extremely seriously. We are keeping fully up-to-date with official advice, making sure that all our staff understand and follow the very latest COVID-19 guidance for social or community care and residential settings. “In the guidance PHE recommends that the best way to reduce any risk of infection is good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoiding direct or close contact (within 2 metres) with any potentially infected person. Our care and support staff always maintain high standards of hygiene and follow robust infection control guidelines, but given that we care for some of the most vulnerable people , during this outbreak we expect them to be extra vigilant about hand washing, coughs and sneezes, and keeping people homes clean, all staff Change their clothes once they arrive at the home. principles everyone should be following include: Washing your hands often – with soap and water (or using alcohol sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if hand washing facilities are not available) – this is particularly important after taking public transport Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin Employees washing their hands: before leaving home on arrival at work after using the toilet after breaks and sporting activities before food preparation before eating any food, including snacks before leaving work on arrival at home before and after any activity Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands Cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched objects and surfaces For more guidance please look on the NHS websites https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Makaton uses hand movement, eye contact, body language and facial expressions enabling people to fully comprehend the sign. When conversing using Makaton signs and symbols, people are encouraged to also use speech at the same time in order to improve their communication skills. Signs and gestures provide a visual reinforcement to what is being said. Some people with communication difficulties also have problems understanding , processing and remembering what is said to them. Signing and gesturing, as well as speaking, can provide the individual with additional clues which can help them to understand. Makaton is extremely flexible as it can be personalized to an individual's needs and used at a level suitable for them Makaton has been adapted for use in more than 40 countries, including Poland, Australia, Greece and Japan. This is why we love Makaton - " Helping people to communicate improves their quality of life. It improves their opportunities, social life, friendships and independence." Please see our facebook page and join us with our Makaton advent calendar. https://www.facebook.com/personalizedcare/
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We have finally decided to take the plunge and add a blog to our site. We always wanted an easy way to share information with visitors and I’m super excited to start this journey. Keep coming back to our site and check for updates right here on the blog.
