Care that supports dignity
Care means helping a person with the things of daily life that they cannot do fully by themselves, for example eating, washing, dressing, moving, taking medicine and feeling connected to others. A person who needs care is still a person with a past, likes, dislikes and rights.
Dignity means being treated as someone who matters. Care that supports dignity: asks before helping, speaks directly to the person (not over their head), protects privacy (for example a door closed during washing), respects their habits and culture, and lets them choose what they can.
Support towards independence
Independence means doing as much as possible yourself and making your own choices. The idea in care is "just enough help".
- Too little help: the person is stuck, unsafe or lonely.
- Too much help: the person stops using their skills and slowly loses them (this is sometimes called "learned helplessness").
- Just right: the carer finds what the person can do, helps with only the rest, and praises effort.
As ability changes, the help changes. If the person gets stronger, the help is reduced. If the person gets weaker, it is increased, always with the person's choice.
The role of care in society
Care has three roles: it meets basic needs (safety, food, hygiene), it protects quality of life (choices, relationships, joy) and it keeps people taking part in society. It also supports families, who otherwise carry the whole load.
Try it
At home: think of one task a grandparent or a younger child does slowly (for example tying shoes). Wait for 20 seconds before helping. Does the person manage? What is the smallest hint that helps?
In the 3D: set ability to 2. Predict how many help steps are needed to reach the top. Then check, and see what happens with 5 help steps.
Key formulas and definitions
- Care = help with daily life + respect
- Needed help = goal โ own ability
- Too little โ stuck; just right โ independence; too much โ skills shrink
- Help โ as ability โ
Worked examples
1. The goal needs 5 steps. A person can do 2 alone. How much help is "just right"?
Needed help = 5 โ 2 = 3 steps.
2. The same person is given 5 steps of help. How much was extra, and what is the risk?
Extra = 5 โ 3 = 2 steps. The risk is that the person stops using their own skill and loses it.
3. A carer keeps the bathroom door closed while a person washes but stays within hearing. Which value does this protect?
Dignity (privacy) while keeping safety.
4. After a month the person can do 4 steps alone. What help is now needed?
Needed help = 5 โ 4 = 1 step. Help is reduced as ability grows.
Common mistakes
- Thinking more help is always better care.
- Talking about the person to others in front of them as if they were not there.
- Choosing for the person without asking.
- Keeping help the same even when the person has become stronger.