Consumer Dignity and Choice
Since the first use of the phrase, our care settings have come a long way in encouraging independence and resident decision-making, and in Australia, the ‘dignity of risk’ approach is being formally integrated into residential care settings around the country (QORF 2015).
In care settings such as residential aged care, affording dignity of risk to allow a resident the same personal freedoms they would enjoy if living in an independent setting is directly tied to Standard 1 of the Aged Care Quality Standards: Consumer Dignity and Choice.
At times, however, care workers are still faced with the difficult job of balancing the dignity of risk of their clients, with their duty of care (Keast 2016).
Concerns are often raised about the disconnect between theory and practice, for instance, how risks can be taken when care workers have responsibilities and could face the brunt of complaints, or even compliance action.
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Info
An informative article on the concept of ‘dignity of choice’, written for ausmed.com.au. This piece was circulated around Australian residential aged care facilities for care workers and nurses to read.