DIGNITY OF A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT

 Value at risk and the obligation to retain: a trade-off? 

When it comes to disability services and care for all people with disabilities, balancing the dignity of risk and the duty of care can be difficult. At first glance, these two philosophies may seem contradictory, making it difficult to successfully implement both philosophies simultaneously. However, in reality, the two go together as part of a person's overall treatment program. At Lifeplan, we see things that way.Contact usWhat is the purpose of risk? At its core, risk dignity is the right of individuals to make their own choices and decisions, even if those decisions may put them at risk. For example, as the child grows older, parents allow more flexibility and freedom in how the child plays, even if it means the risk of injury. Climbing trees, skating, playing sports and other activities are common in children, but injuries are also common. Many parents decide what activities they want their children to engage in, some parents choose risky activities while others prefer safe activities. Making mistakes and learning through trial and error is a key element of how we grow when we grow up and throughout our lives. The dignity of risk is a fundamental human right that makes this process possible. We cannot reach our full potential if we are not exposed to potential risks.This concept may seem simple at first glance, but it becomes much more complicated for people with mental and physical problems. They may not be able to assess the potential risks inherent in a given situation, which means they may not be able to make informed decisions. This is the duty of care. What is the duty of care? Duty of care refers to the healthcare worker's responsibility to provide someone with a safe living environment. Especially when working with people of all abilities, caregivers must take special precautions to accommodate the mental and physical challenges of those they care for.Healthcare providers are trained to do everything they can to keep their clients as safe as possible at all times. This may include measures such as preventing traffic from stopping at busy intersections or denying access to foods you are allergic to. All this is done taking into account the person's best interest. Caregivers need to consider the mental and physical abilities of those they care for so they can make informed decisions about how to care for them. However, there is a fine balance between providing adequate support and degrading people. How do risk assessments and duty of care interact? The dominant ideologies surrounding care and risk place them at opposite ends of the spectrum. Healthcare providers eliminate potential risks by providing high quality care. However, this also removes a certain degree of independence and autonomy from the consumer. Conversely, when providers provide less direct care, clients are exposed to higher levels of risk and have the opportunity to learn through trial and error.Caution and risk are often presented as a dichotomy and there is a need to reconsider the relationship between these two concepts. Duty of care means that there must be a system to limit risks, but this must not infringe on people's decision-making rights. Instead of thinking about how to avoid risk, healthcare providers need to think about how to support someone to do what they want to do safely. For example, a health professional may recommend that a client switch to a diet that includes concentrated liquids. If the client refuses, staff can support the decision to continue eating solid foods by guiding meals and checking in regularly to minimize risk.