Through recent research, a lot has been learned about what dignity means to older people. Two things are very clear: that is being treated with dignity really matters and that people are not clear about what service they should expect.
The Dignity Challenge lays out the national expectations of what constitutes a service that respects dignity. It focuses on ten different aspects of dignity - the things that matter most to people.
What is the Dignity Challenge?
The Dignity Challenge is a clear statement of what people can expect from a service that respects dignity. It is backed up by a series of 'dignity tests’ that can be used by providers, commissioners and people who use services to see how their local services are performing.
High quality care services that respect people's dignity should:
- have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse
- support people with the same respect you would want for yourself or a member of your family
- treat each person as an individual by offering a personalised service
- enable people to maintain the maximum possible level of independence, choice and control
- listen and support people to express their needs and wants
- respect people’s right to privacy
- ensure people feel able to complain without fear of retribution
- engage with family members and carers as care partners
- assist people to maintain confidence and a positive self-esteem
- act to alleviate people’s loneliness and isolation.
To find out more about the Dignity Challenge and the service you should expect, visit the social care institute for excellence website link on the right hand side of this page.