To Feel Dignity

“Every life deserves a certain amount of dignity, no matter how poor or damaged the shell that carries it”     

  Rick Bragg       

                                                                                                        

           Leaders in long term care must recognize the problem of loss of self-esteem and dignity faced by elders in the nursing home environment.  In a research study, staff, residents, and families in nursing homes were interviewed.  A theme emerged involving loss of psychological integrity.  Psychological integrity involves the right to make your own decisions and to feel valued and respected¹.

           Every individual needs to know that they have dignity, no matter how frail, handicapped, or cognitively impaired.  Part of giving elders a sense of psychological integrity is to provide them with the ability to make their own decisions, to have a voice in what happens to them, and in the care that they receive.  Staff can help elders feel respected and honored when they allow individuals to choose their own schedules and allow them to feel that they are in charge of their care. 

           Equally important is to learn about the background, history, dreams, and desires of our residents.  It is so important to appreciate each resident for their unique characteristics.  As leaders in LTC, it must be our mission to instill this respect and appreciation of our residents in our staff.   We must provide education and be firm about allowing each resident the right to autonomy.  Each day we need to celebrate our residents with a sense of love, gratitude, and respect.  

Teeri, H., Kilpi, H., Valmaki, M. (2006).  Long-term nursing care of elderly people: identifying ethically problematic experiences among patients, relatives, and nurses in Finland.  Nursing Ethics, 13(2), 116-129.