Polars Dignity Tree

Polars Residential Home / Dignity Action Day

Staff at Polars have been sewing their seed of dignity over the past 18 months by participating in scenario based questionnaires devised by Sarah Woodford the homes manager, which relate closely to the 10 topics of the dignity challenge.

These training excercises have raised awareness and promoted best practice in relation to the department of healths training rescource guide and encouraged open discussion surrounding person centered care and improved team working throughout the home.

Dignity action day was a celebration of the homes progress through the dignity challenge. Sheryl Parkman Assistant Manager and Dignity champion has used the symbolisim of a tree to emphasise the importance and real values behind dignity in care and has written a poem to support the dignity tree.

Sarah has utilised her creative skills and painted the dignity tree which has encouraged Residents, families, visitors, guests and staff to write on a leaf their own ideas thoughts and values on what dignity and respect means to them. The dignity tree will remain in place as a visual aid which can be added to by new Residents, new friends and visitors to Polars.

Of course we are recording entires in the " Log" book which is used as an easy reference tool.

During the morning activities were offered like scrabble and other board games while Residents were encouraged to express their individuality by writing their ideas of what dignity means to them and fixing their leaf to the dignity tree.

The Dignity tree, which is now in full bloom is a real success which has not only raised awareness to the staff and residents but to families and visitors. The idea incorporates the paper work “This is me!” which is designed for the use in dementia care.

Table top display held relevant legislation and literature for those who wanted more information and advice on how to sign up as a dignity champion along with the film “look Closer – see me!” being played on loop for staff training.

The afternoon was a time for residents to get together and participate in either the sing a long session or the Beetle drive both were a great success.

The day involved everyone in the home; even the catering staff designed and made a cake, decorating it with the words “dignity in care” and used the Isle care leaf as a symbol.

We are lucky to have a married couple in the home who was delighted when offered the opportunity to take part in a poster by having their photograph taken while holding their wedding photograph.