Dignity in long-term care

Abstract

The concept of dignity is recognised as a fundamental right in many countries. It is embedded into law, human rights legislation and is often visible in organisations' philosophy of care, particularly in aged care. Yet, many authors describe difficulties in defining dignity and how it can be preserved for people living in longterm care. In this article, Nordenfelt's 'four notions of dignity' are considered, drawing on the different perspectives of those who receive, observe or deliver care in the context of the long-term care environment. On examination of the literature we suggest that two of Nordenfelt's notions, 'dignity of identity' and 'dignity of Menschenwü rde', are a common thread for residents, family members and staff when conceptualising dignity within long-term care environments.

Dignity and Predictors of Its Change Among Inpatients in Long-Term Care

“…Hospitalization often represents a stressor with a negative impact in the field of psychological, physical and social integrity for the older adult, and thus it threatens their dignity of identity (Kane & Vries, 2017). These areas are included in PDI-CZ domains Loss of purpose life, Loss of autonomy and Loss of social support, whose change in evaluation in our study education influenced significantly.…”

“…Knowledge of factors influencing the dignity of elderly people is the basis of a person-centered approach in dignity-respecting care (Oosterveld-Vlug et al, 2016). Although some recent studies focus on the dignity of elderly patients in LTC (Kane & de Vries, 2017;Li & Porock, 2014;Ostaszkiewicz et al, 2020) we could find none studying changes in dignity assessment after a certain period of hospitalization in LTC. This study therefore aimed to expand existing knowledge regarding elderly peoples' perceptions of dignity and its changes, particularly during hospitalization in LTC.…”

Dignity in the care of older adults living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities

“…1 In contrast, Menschenwürde's dignity deals with innate dignity, which we all possess equally. 19 Despite some differences in the causes of admission to NH and LTCF in low-and high-income countries, it is common for a large proportion of residents to have a significant reduction in their cognitive and functional abilities, depending on third parties to perform ADLs and IADLs. According to some authors, dependency affects their dignity (of identity), because it can reduce their control and choice.…”

“…According to some authors, dependency affects their dignity (of identity), because it can reduce their control and choice. 17,19 Rigid or inflexible technical and organizational routines depersonalize care in LTC homes, depriving residents of expressing their opinions and desires. Due to time constraints, resources, and caregivers' propensity for task-oriented care, the depersonalization of care often compromises the resident's dignity, who is forced to "obey" mealtimes, hygiene standards, and continence, participation in social activities, and sometimes even control over one's belongings.…”

Human rights and care homes for older people: a typology of approaches from academic literature as a starting point for activist scholarship in human rights and institutional care

“…Older people moving into and currently living in care homes were often described as victims, who are disenfranchised, socially isolated and vulnerable to discriminatory practices and other human rights abuses. 82 This is especially so in the literature focusing on care home residents with dementia, who may not have the same cognitive capacities as others, and whom, some authors suggested, are particularly prone to experience human rights violations. 83 Care workers 84 and family members 85 on the other hand were often considered as potential perpetrators of abuse.…”