To promote an individual’s dignity, they should be fully involved in any decision that affects their care. This can range from personal decisions such as choosing what to eat to wider decisions about their care and support as a whole.
It is important that you help individuals to make informed choices. These are choices the individual makes while being aware of the risks and possible implications so they can weigh their options and make the choice that is right for them. You can help an individual make an informed choice in a number of ways such as:
- Explaining information
- Finding people who can share their experiences with similar choices
- Asking for the help of specialist workers
- Involving other people the individual trusts such as friends and family
Remember that you should advise them but not make the choices for them, unless they are not mentally capable. You should help them come to a decision on their own so they can maintain their independence and dignity as much as possible.