Table of Contents
- 1 What is an informed choice in care?
- 2 How can we make informed choices?
- 3 Why is it important to provide individuals with information to enable them to have choice about the way they are cared for and supported?
- 4 How did you support the client to make decisions about their own care?
- 5 Why is it important to make good choices?
- 6 Why is it important to help individuals develop skills in self care and maintain their own network of friends?
- 7 How can you help individuals to make informed choices?
- 8 How to support an individual’s right to choice?
- 9 What should care workers do to support people?
What is an informed choice in care?
‘An informed choice is one that is based on relevant knowledge, consistent with the decision‐maker’s values and behaviourally implemented. For example, health professionals who present tests in a very positive or negative light may influence the decisions of those offered tests.
How can we make informed choices?
Here are seven steps to help you make informed decisions:
- Identify the problem.
- Collect data and information.
- Brainstorm all possible alternatives.
- Weigh the alternatives.
- Take your pick.
- Enact a plan.
- Review the decision.
Why is it important to provide individuals with information to enable them to have choice about the way they are cared for and supported?
Choices can only be made if people have information. If they know the options, the risks and possible implications they can make the choice that is right for them. Sometimes an individual may not be able to understand and retain the information they need to make a decision or communicate their choice.
How can workers assist clients to make informed decisions?
As a carer of someone who can make their own decisions, you can provide support to the decision-making process. This can include helping with meeting preparation, attending meetings and asking questions and discussing the information you have learned.
How do you promote choices in health and social care?
Let’s take a look at 9 examples, all of which derive from the dignity factors listed above.
- Let people choose their own clothing.
- Involve them in decisions relating to their care.
- Address the person properly.
- Make food look and taste nice.
- Respect personal space and possessions.
- Handle hygiene activities sensitively.
How did you support the client to make decisions about their own care?
Giving the person relevant information to make the decision. Keep the information only to what is needed. Describe any foreseeable risks and benefits in practical terms. If there are options, give the information about the choices in a clear and balanced way.
Why is it important to make good choices?
Each person has the right to make decisions and have choices about how they live their life. Each person has different ideas about what is important and what makes them feel best. Making your own choices about the things you do is very important because it gives your life meaning.
Why is it important to help individuals develop skills in self care and maintain their own network of friends?
To maintain dignity and privacy so that a person can do personal care tasks in private rather than having someone do them for them. If a person is encouraged to do things for themselves they will be fit and healthy. This will also help to develop self esteem and confidence.
How helping can assist individual in making decisions?
Helping Individuals to make Informed Choices
- You can explain information.
- Find people who can share their experiences or ask for help of specialist workers.
- Support them to involve other people they trust like friends or relatives.
How can you assist person to make decisions?
How can you help individuals to make informed choices?
To promote the dignity of all individuals they should be fully involved in any decision that affects their care, including personal decisions (such as what to eat, what to wear and what time to go to bed), and wider decisions about their care or support. How you can help individuals to make an informed choice (Question 7.3a)
How to support an individual’s right to choice?
When providing an individual with information, it is essential that you do not let your own personal views or beliefs bias their decision. A good way of supporting an individual’s right to choice is by using agreed risk assessment processes.
What should care workers do to support people?
As part of a person-centred approach, care workers should support individuals to be as independent as possible, encourage them to make their own choices and respect the decisions that they make. Choices can be relatively small day-to-day decisions, such as:
Can a person make a choice if they have information?
Choices can only be made if people have information. If they know the options, the risks and possible implications they can make the choice that is right for them. This is ‘informed’ choice. Sometimes decisions are difficult even when an individual has all the information they can.