Take a leaf out of our book for Dignity Action Day

Home news

Jan 24, 2012

Residents and their families have found a creative way to raise issues surrounding older people’s dignity as we celebrate Dignity Action Day on Wednesday 1st February.

Together we have created a tree in the foyer which has been designed to allow residents and visitors to the home to attach leaves. People will be asked to write on the leaves what they think dignity means.

As well as the tree, residents have been creating daisies for their bedroom doors. Registered nurses Pauline McConville and Lorraine Blackhurst and their team have been working with the residents to make the leaves and the daisies. Pauline said: “The residents have had a lot of fun. The daisies feature a photograph of each resident and the leaves around the picture feature elements of what we consider to be good dignity practice, such as genuine person-centred care, privacy, choice and communication.

“Our residents are all older people with dementia. As dementia develops, communications skills fade and it is up to us to find out what is the most comfortable way for our residents to communicate what they want and what they enjoy.”

Residents will also be joining in a country and western afternoon. Pauline said: “It’s one of our most popular events and residents chose it as our celebration. We are all busy now trying to find cowboy hats and anything else western so we all look great on the big day!”