Nursing human rights and Int. Human Rights Day: fao Sir Gerry Robinson

On last nights BBC Two TV program: Can Gerry Robinson Fix Dementia Care Homes?

- amongst the angst his visits and engagement with several care homes provoked Sir Gerry highlighted the need for a moral compass and compassion. The themes I expected to find were there: the need for person-centered care, knowledge of the clients and their backgrounds, being occupied and having access to a secure environment when the weather permits, staff morale and the level of staff training and competence. Although not necessarily 'enjoyable' viewing the program was very good in raising awareness and included either directly or indirectly:

person-centered care, attitude, memory loss, vulnerable individuals, training, risk, assessment, review, motivation to change, interpersonal skills, motivation, listening, life skills, knowledge and skills, feedback, aggression, agitation, change, measures, rapport, empathy, +ve care, boredom, diurnal variation of mood, personal choice & autonomy	physical environment, colour, decor, noise, outside access, physical security, nutrition, tasks, processes, measures 'dementia care mapping', routine, meal times, time, physical risk - falls, mobility, assessment, care files (paper!), bed occupancy, staffing : resident ratios, models of care
the residents, visitors, family, love, social attitudes, dignity and respect, relationships, social values, personal-social history, engaged activities, involvement, 'social' norms, inclusion, community - institution, being valued by others, distraction	records, freedom, care funding costs / weekly charges, funding, inspection, consultancy, audit, legislation, rules (meals), pay, investment, business, staff morale, recruitment and retention, financial risk, confidentiality, plans and initiatives, management style, qualifications, standards

Today 10 December 2009 is also International Human Rights Day. To many people elderly care issues in a Western democracy may seem a world away from 'human rights' as per:

• false imprisonment
• denial of justice, law and order
• political repression
• freedom of expression
• education and health for all
• discrimination
• ....

- and yet the situations that arise within nursing, health, social care are never far from ethical and human rights concerns:

• Mental capacity
• Consent
• Physical restraint
• Mental health law
• Environmental health law
• Conscientious objection
• Medicine and nursing in the armed forces
• Equity and equality
• Accessibility
• ....

Moral dilemmas can and do arise in any and all of the care domains of Hodges' model and all combined (the spiritual). In addition to a moral compass, it seems we need a compass in nursing in order to be compass-ionate.

Hodges' model can provide a compass.

A compass to help navigate open waters, new coastlines and the uncharted corners and recesses of human nature.


Additional links: Amnesty International

POLITICAL care domain resources


Compass image: http://clipart-for-free.blogspot.com/2008/07/compass-rose-clipart.html