Reinforcing the importance of treating the elderly with dignity and respect

I am always reinforcing the importance of treating elderly people with dignity and respect ensuring when Labour controlled the Council we signed the dignity code to ensure expectations and standards of treating older people well were the norm and embedded in services. At the National Pensioners Convention I went along to show my support and that of the council. I really hope the Tories who now run the Council ensure that dignity in care and the code is championed across services. Treating everyone with dignity is a fundamental part of our council’s service ethos but we can all do our bit to support vulnerable people whether at work or in our communities. In this country we continue to hear terrible stories of the elderly being abused, neglected, abandoned and humiliated. Children are protected by law but there is nothing there for the protection of older people. Championing the code and dignity in services also gives everyone working in care services the chance reflect on their work and the positive impact it has on the lives of the people they support they carry out wonderful work and are not often properly rewarded. Over two million health and social care staff in the UK work around the clock to provide care and support for those most in need. Thousands of staff provide a dignified service in their place of work and continually strive to give the best care and support possible 365 days a year to people who are at their most vulnerable. The ‘Ten Point Dignity Challenges’ are I championed and I hope the current leaders will champion are: 1.Have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse. 2.Support people with the same respect you would want for yourself or a member of your family. 3.Treat each person as an individual by offering a personalised service. 4.Enable people to maintain the maximum possible level of independence, choice and control . 5.Listen and support people to express their needs and wants. 6.Respect people's right to privacy. 7.Ensure people feel able to complain without fear of retribution. 8.Engage with family members and carers as care partners. 9.Assist people to maintain confidence and positive self-esteem. 10.Act to alleviate people's loneliness and isolation.