A few years ago, we began to discuss our employees' ability to be exceptional caregivers. We not only want to continue to provide the quality care that we do to the individuals we support, but we want to go above and beyond and offer more. Our goal is for the individuals in our services to have a good quality of life and become as independent as possible.
The term "dignity of risk" is commonly used in the community living field. Essentially, this means that in order for our participants to live a dignified life and be able to experience all that life has to offer, we have to allow them to face risks. By empowering individuals, letting them make choices, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and allowing opportunities in life, we will see growth, increased self esteem and help contribute to an overall better quality of life. We are by no means suggesting that we put individuals in life threatening situations or in situations that would cause extreme stress or anxiety. We must evaluate the risk and gradually help to build independence.
However, we realize that this is something that must be carefully assessed and something that may not be as easy to carry out as it initially appears.
Some of the barriers we are experiencing, in striving for this level of independence include:
Our own fears: we do not want individuals to experience failure or inhibit them from reaching their full potential. We are overwhelmed with the "what if" factor. In addition, many organizations, including ours, always face the fear of litigation if something is incorrectly delivered.
Learned helplessness: when people always do things for an individual or make decisions on their behalf, this can easily result in the loss of the "I can" attitude. New skills cannot be learned if a person does not have the drive, need or desire to develop them.
Now think about your life. Would you be happy if everything was always done or decided for you? What you wore? What you ate? What you spent your money on? Where you lived? What you did with your time? Who your friends are? Chances are... probably not!
Individuals with developmental disabilities deserve more than good care. They deserve to live in a world that practices inclusion and promotes empowerment.
As such, all involved need to remember that in life there is dignity of risk.
