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Lesson 1, Topic 1
In Progress

Valuing People

Valuing a person means seeing the best in them and appreciating what they have to offer/. It means accepting them just as they are (rather than what they could become). Sometimes we call this unconditional positive regard. You can show someone that you value them with your words and behaviors.

Accepting te whole person means accepting their physical capabilities, their personal beliefs, their morals, values, and views of the world. When we accept these, we recognize their values and don’t try to change these to meet our personal views.

Showing Respect and Dignity

You can show a client respect and protect their dignity every time you interact with them/ By treating them politely and honoring their preferences, you show the client that you see and appreciate their value.

Please complete the exercise found at the bottom of page 14 in your text.

Person-First Language

In person-first language, the person is more important than their mental or physical condition. PErson-first language shows we value and respect the people who we are talking about. There are two basic rules of person-first language.

  1. Put the person first and their condition second. For example, say “I care for individuals experiencing dementia” and do not say “I care for dementia patients.”
  2. Describe conditions as one (and not the defining characteristic) of a whole person. For example, say “Michele has diabetes” and do not day “Michele is a diabetic.”

By using person-first language you recognize and value the whole person, emphasizing their personhood above any healthcare needs they may have.

Identity-First Language

Not everyone prefers person-first language. Some people feel that their condition is an essential part of their identity and may prefer identity-first language. Examples of identity-first language are “I am an Autistic person,” or “Deaf people have their own culture.”

Everyone has their own preference/ Ask the person you care for how they would like to be referred to.

Recognizing the Dignity of Risk

Having control over our own lives is a fundamental human right, and this includes making choices that may not be the healthiest for us. Keep in mind that as a professional caregiver, you should always promote good health and safety. But you should also honor your client’s personal choice and control.

If it is important TO them to engage in behaviors that are risky, you might have a conversation with them about the possible long-term impact of those decisions. Let them know that you are concerned about them and remind them of your role and responsibility as a caregiver. They are in control, but you care about their well-being. If the behaviors are more serious, document them and communicate them to the appropriate person like a supervisor or case manager.

In summary:

  • Share with your client why you are concerned.
  • Ask them if they are interested in discussing alternatives that might be a better TO/FOR balance for them.
  • Report more series concerns to the appropriate person in your care setting (the client’s preference will be noted in the service plan).
  • If appropriate in your care setting, document your concerns, what you did, and who you reported it to.

Celebrating Cultural Identity, Diversity, and Individuality

Individual and group differences make our world interesting and rich. Many viewpoints also give us different ideas and make our society healthier.

Learning about a person’s culture and identity can tell you a lot about who they are and what they prefer. If you have engaged in the discovery process (both self-discovery and discovering the person you support), you may be aware of possible differences. Learn to respect those differences that come from the person’s cultural or personal background. What has shaped their perspectives, beliefs, and values? What has shaped your own?

Becoming more culturally competent will require you to spend time thinking about yourself and others. Do you or the client have any cultural assumptions and/or biases you are aware of? Do either of you feel that you have privilege or lack a privilege in society? Do your values align with the clients? Do the client’s values align with those of the healthcare systems that they use?

You shouldn’t assume anything about a person based on where they were born, what they look like, or what languages they speak. Instead, learn about them by spending time with them and asking them to share as much about themselves as they want to.