Dignity Action Day 2024

Posted by Francis Whitehead on January 25, 2024

This year on the 1^st of February is Dignity Action Day, established by the Dignity in Care Charity Organisation, which highlights the importance upholding people's rights to dignity in care. It reminds both the general public and carers that everybody in the community has a role to play in upholding dignity in care.

Dignity Action Day aims to ensure those in care are treated as individuals and are given choice, independence, and a sense of purpose in their daily lives.

Dame Joan Bakewell, Dignity in Care Ambassador says:

"Dignity Action Day highlights a more respectful way of behaving towards vulnerable people. The very old and the very young clearly need our respect, but it wouldn't do any harm to spread the dignity message across the population then we can all benefit."

What is dignity and why is it important?

Dignity means treating everyone with respect and recognizing their value as a person, regardless of age, background, circumstances, or condition. It's about being polite, considerate, and understanding, even if views can differ.

It also involves understanding that everyone is equal and has the right to make their own choices about their life and body.

In healthcare, dignity is important as those in care need a helpful and supportive environment to flourish in for the rest of their lives.

According to carehome.co.uk, there are a grand total of 441,479 people who are currently in care, all with different ages and requirements. Despite the large figure, it’s important that everyone in this statistic is treated as an individual and their needs are met.

Carers can do this by establishing trust, maximising independence, and promoting self-respect in their care environment.

This can be achieved by implementing FREDA principles in care environments.

What are FREDA Principles?

The FREDA principles were specifically developed to help carers understand and use the core values of the Human Rights Act of 1998.

• Fairness – Equitable treatment for all individuals
• Respect – Valuing unique perspectives and choices
• Equality – Promoting equal opportunities and rights
• Dignity – Preserving individual worth and respect
• Autonomy – Supporting independence and decision-making

What’s more, the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has outlined eight factors of dignity in care to help guide carers in their practice.

The eight factors of dignity in care are:

• Choice and control over care provision as well as everyday decisions
• Communication between care professionals, residents, and their loved ones
• Nutrition for older people
• Pain management to promote comfort
• Personal hygiene
• Practical assistance such as minor home repairs or installing mobility aids
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Social inclusion to avoid isolation

We are a prized retailer of mobility aids in the UK, with glistening customer feedback, as well as being a supplier to the NHS, schools, colleges, councils and businesses. We stock a wide range of independent living aids and daily living aids that can help maintain dignity, so that’s how we’re helping! But what can you do for Dignity Action Day?

Taking Part in Dignity Action Day 2024

The theme for this year’s Dignity Action Day is “Put Undignified Care to Bed… Donate and Wear Red”.

Wearing anything red on the 1^st of February will help raise awareness for dignity in care.

You can donate to the cause here, and become a Dignity Champion here.

Dignity Champions teach others how to be kind and respectful in caregiving. They can come from any level in an organization, receiving special training to understand dignity in care. They then use their experience to help colleagues provide the best possible care, promoting a compassionate and person-centric approach.

Other than Dignity in Care, here are some Dignity Champion networks:

• Age UK
• Carers UK
• Sense
• Your local Learning Disability Partnership board