Dignity in care: communication

View on the SCIE website: https://www.scie.org.uk/dignity/care/...

Navigate to specific points in the video:

00:00 - Opening title
00:08 - How do we communicate?
00:38 - Good communication
00:54 - What's happening in our lives
01:52 - Get to know the person
03:50 - Support a person
07:49 - Communication through technology
11:13 - Language and cultural needs
13:46 - Non-verbal communication
14:28 - Key learning points and end credits


Good communication can help people to maintain their dignity. Take Matthew, a young man with Down's Syndrome who lives in a shared house. In this film, Matthew's encouraged to use a diary so that he knows what he's going to be doing on any particular week. It's a good way for staff to find out what's been happening in Matthew's life. It's equally important to make time to support people that you offer care and support to. The film shows how, for older people, past memories of being at the beach can be used as a useful communication tool.

Communication in practice can mean asking people how they prefer to be addressed and to respect their wishes; giving people information about the service in advance and in a suitable format; and not assuming that you know what people want because of their culture, ability or any other factor.