Dignity in care is something we think about every day. Dignity is in our name, but it’s more than a word on our vans. For us, it’s the way we want every person we support to feel: respected, listened to and in control of their own life.

It’s easy to say a care company values dignity. Here’s what it actually looks like in practice.

Dignity looks different for everyone. For one person it might mean putting on a shirt and tie every morning, just as they always have. For another it might mean staying in their dressing gown on a Sunday. Our job is to understand what matters to each individual and to respect it.

Dignity in care starts with your home, your choices

When we visit, we’re guests in someone’s home. That means following their routines, not ours. How someone likes their tea, what they want to wear, when they’d like to get up: these choices matter, and we ask rather than assume.

Privacy and respect in personal care

Needing help with washing, dressing or using the toilet can feel uncomfortable at first. Our carers are trained to give personal care calmly and discreetly, explaining what they’re doing, keeping people covered where possible and encouraging them to do as much for themselves as they’d like.

We also understand that accepting help can be emotional. Many of the people we support have spent their lives looking after others, and it can feel strange to be on the receiving end. Our carers are patient and kind, and never make anyone feel rushed or embarrassed.

Talking with people, not about them

We speak directly to the person we support, even when family are in the room. We use the name they prefer, take time to listen and involve them in every decision about their care.

That includes respecting people’s right to make their own decisions, even when they’re not the choices others would make. If we have concerns, we’ll talk them through openly and honestly, but we never take away someone’s voice.

Consistency and trust

Where we can, we keep the same small team of carers visiting each person, so they get to know each other properly. You can meet our team here. Families can also feel reassured by how we keep carers accountable, including GPS visit tracking and scanning in at each home we visit.

Dignity at the end of life

Some of the most important care we give is at the end of someone’s life. We’re a preferred provider for fast track end of life care, which means we can often put support in place quickly so people can stay at home, comfortable and surrounded by the people and things they love.

In those moments, dignity means calm, gentle care, respecting wishes and supporting the whole family.

We’re there for families too, offering a listening ear and practical help at a very difficult time. Our complex care and specialist care services can also support people with more involved needs.

Dignity for our carers too

We believe people can only give dignified care if they’re treated with dignity themselves. That’s why we pay our carers fairly and invest in their training and wellbeing, so they feel valued and supported in their work. If that sounds like the kind of team you’d like to join, take a look at our careers page.

For us, dignity in care isn’t a policy on a shelf. It’s how our carers speak, listen and act at every visit, and it’s what families tell us they notice most.

Frequently asked questions

What does dignity in care mean?

Dignity in care means treating every person with respect, protecting their privacy and supporting them to make their own choices. It is about seeing the whole person, not just their care needs.

How can families tell if a provider values dignity in care?

Watch how staff talk to and about the people they support, ask how privacy and choices are respected, and read the provider’s CQC report, where inspectors comment on whether care is kind and respectful. Signs of dignity in care are often in the small details.

Why is dignity in care so important at home?

Home is where people feel most themselves. Dignity in care at home helps people keep their independence, routines and sense of identity for as long as possible.

Talk to us

If you’d like to find out more about our approach or arrange care for yourself or a loved one, find out what happens at your first home care assessment, call our Ilkley office on 01943 818274 or get in touch online.