With more individuals living with ongoing health needs, promoting independence in health and social care has become increasingly important. Empowering individuals with learning disabilities brings many benefits not just to the people you support but also care staff and families.
There is a strong emphasis on helping people remain independent for as long as possible within this sector, but what does independence in care really mean, why does it matter and how can you effectively encourage it?
What is independence in health and social care?
Independence in health and social care refers to individuals maintaining autonomy as much as possible within these settings whilst the necessary assistance is provided when needed. It means they are respected as individuals, have control over their own life and decisions, as well as feeling supported to voice their own opinions.
Each and every supported person has their own views, preferences and experiences, so it’s important for these to be considered and for them to feel empowered. This could be in regard to which food they want to eat, which support and care best suits their needs, and which social activities they would like to take part in.
Even if some of the people you support have reduced capacity, encouraging independence in a learning disability care home and giving them input into their care is recommended. Also, you must make them aware that any decisions that are out of their control are only made for them with their safety in mind.
Why is promoting independence important in health and social care?
Promoting independence in health and social care brings a number of benefits not only to the supported individuals, but to care staff members and the overall environment.
It is a legal requirement
In addition to being a moral approach to health and social care, encouraging independence is actually a legal requirement under the Care Act 2014. Improving people’s independence and wellbeing is a key principle within the act, as well as providing person-centred care.
It improves the individual’s quality of life
Being more independent gives supported individuals a better sense of purpose which ultimately increases their confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing. Freedom to take part in activities they decide means there are more opportunities for social interaction. This sense of belonging and chance to build connections with others reduces loneliness and isolation which is hugely beneficial for mental health and, therefore, their quality of life.
It reduces the burden on families and care staff
The increase in confidence also has an impact on the care system and their families as more autonomy results in reduced dependency on staff, facilities and external support. Independent individuals are able to take care of themselves as much as possible which lessens the demand on carers and nurses.
By giving them a say in their care provision and empowering them to make their own choices, they are able to confidently arrange more support as and when they need it. This, in turn, means they are less likely to refuse healthcare assistance and more preventative measures can be taken when it comes to poor health before any conditions worsen. This relieves the pressure from care teams and families are reassured that their loved ones are supported in these environments.
Activities to help promote independence
As mentioned above, providing the people you support with hobbies and opportunities for social interaction can help promote their independence. If you’re looking for some inspiration on what activities to offer within your learning disability care home, we’ve collated some ideas below.
Hands-on activities
Creative options such as arts and crafts activities, cooking and baking, or gardening can all be a great way to foster self-expression, build confidence and encourage independence.
Painting, drawing, collaging, pottery or papier mâché are all ideal for cognitive development and easy to set up within your care home. There is the freedom to work together on a group project or create something on their own, whatever they decide.
Planting herbs, flowers and vegetables, watering and tending to the greenery, or tidying up the greenhouse give a sense of purpose, responsibility and achievement when things grow and bloom. It also has the added benefit of being outside in nature which is good for mental health.
Creating meal plans, writing and ticking off shopping lists, and following recipes are other ways in which you can give supported people a sense of responsibility. Although cooking and baking may seem like an everyday activity, it can help them feel empowered in the kitchen and learn new skills they can take away with them.
Therapeutic activities
If you’re looking for calmer activities to avoid overstimulation and to meet other individual needs, therapeutic activities like sensory spaces and music therapy are effective alternatives.
Sensory spaces are dedicated to providing an enjoyable experience whereby all senses are stimulated in a serene, soothing way. Filled with soft lighting, textured objects and tranquil music, they can help individuals regulate their sensory input and find peace; doing something like this for themselves fosters independence through self-care.
Our sense of sound can have a huge impact on our emotions, so providing music therapy can help build connections amongst the people you support. Singing and playing instruments together to create music brings rhythm and joy into their lives, whether they’re following a tune or not.
Health and fitness
Physical activity is well-known for its mental health and wellbeing benefits, so providing the facilities for sports and movement is recommended.
There are also many different options for individual exercise or group activities, so you can give your individuals a choice. Some examples of movement you could incorporate are chair-based workouts, walking routes among your grounds, and adapted sports.
Group activities could include dancing (possibly together with the music therapy!), yoga or bike rides. If there is ever an opportunity to hold these activities outside in nature, this will benefit them even further.
Daily living skills
Another activity that encourages independence is teaching your supported individuals daily living skills. From personal hygiene to telling the time, domestic chores to money management, these kinds of practices will give them more freedom when it comes to looking after themselves and prepare them for living on their own, if possible.
Social events
A sense of belonging can be fostered through organised events held by your care home. Whether it’s annual celebrations like birthdays or Christmas, excursions to local attractions, local workshops or educational talks, providing regular occasions like these will encourage social interaction and connection. Why not extend the invite to family and friends too!
How can a care worker promote independence for the people they support?
- Get to know the person you’re supporting
- Balance the level of support required
- Set achievable goals based on their abilities
- Implement positive reinforcement
1. Get to know the person you’re supporting
Empowering your individuals and promoting independence starts with communication. It’s important to understand their preferences not only with their medication and care needs, but their routines, what they enjoy, what they need help with and what they’d prefer to do on their own.
These conversations should delve deep into the context behind these choices too, so you can fully comprehend their decision-making, personality and priorities. From here, the care plan you create for them will fit around their requirements and you will be able to clearly communicate to other staff members their individual preferences.
2. Balance the level of support required
Following on from above, actively listening to their preferences and the small choices they would like to make can help you determine how much support is required throughout the day. Where the person you support feels like they don’t need any assistance, it’s important to make them feel safe and supported whilst giving them space. This balance ensures independence isn’t taken away from them, but they are still cared for.
3. Set achievable goals based on their abilities
Independence and confidence go hand-in-hand. By working together to set some attainable goals and outcomes, you can help boost their self-assurance and empower them. With the right tools, it’s even easier to collaborate with your supported person, track their progress for effective goal setting and provide person-centred care.
Log my Care’s Outcomes and Goals feature gives you the ability to establish SMART goals and break them down into measurable steps. Progress can be tracked and shared with other team members, the person you support and their family members to keep them motivated and feel celebrated.
4. Implement positive reinforcement
Celebrating successes of all sizes can drive their willingness to become more independent. You can do this by sharing these successes with other members of staff and loved ones, as well as giving positive feedback and encouragement 1-on-1. Using and implementing positive behaviour support (PBS) can help with this approach.
The PBS feature in Log my Care’s care management software enables your staff to have a full understanding of an individual’s behaviour and their pathway to success. It connects your PBS strategy with your outcomes and goals so you have a holistic approach to each and every care plan.
Encourage independence in your learning disability care home with Log my Care
All of these different strategies and approaches can help your team empower your supported people and help them build confidence, connections and autonomy. These factors lead to independence and contribute to their overall wellbeing and quality of life.
Choose Log my Care’s software to support you and your individuals that reduce admin time, promote communication and have all the resources you need on one platform. Book a demo today to see how we can help you.
