Health and Social Care Level 2 Dem209
DEM209: Equality, diversity and inclusion in dementia care practice
Learner name: Hilly Binyon
1. Understand the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion when working with individuals with dementia
1.1 Explain what is meant by:- * Diversity – literally means difference. Care settings reflect the diversity of the population at large. Service users within a care setting could be male or female, heterosexual or homosexual and age may range from the young to the very elderly. Each person will have their own set of personal experiences, values, preferences, attitudes and beliefs. In addition, each person will vary in their culture and levels of health, and levels of physical and intellectual ability will also differ. We are all individuals, whether we have dementia or not, and each one of us comes with our own set of characteristics, experiences and personal attributes.
* Equality – Just because a person develops dementia does not mean that the person ceases to exist. People with dementia are just that – people! They have the same wants and needs, and have the ability to feel and experience as much as everyone else. Therefore equality means treating people in a way that is appropriate for their needs.
* Inclusion – Is about equal opportunities for everyone. i.e. Educational inclusion is about equal opportunities for all pupils, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity, attainment and background. It pays particular attention to the provision made for, and the achievement of, different groups of pupils within a school.
1.2 Explain why an individual with dementia has unique needs and preferences
Although people with dementia might exhibit similar signs and symptoms, it is essential to realise that no two people will share exactly the same experience of dementia. This is because an individual’s experience of dementia is not just influenced by the area of the brain that is affected (neurological impairment), but by many factors, all of which make
Learner name: Hilly Binyon
1. Understand the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion when working with individuals with dementia
1.1 Explain what is meant by:- * Diversity – literally means difference. Care settings reflect the diversity of the population at large. Service users within a care setting could be male or female, heterosexual or homosexual and age may range from the young to the very elderly. Each person will have their own set of personal experiences, values, preferences, attitudes and beliefs. In addition, each person will vary in their culture and levels of health, and levels of physical and intellectual ability will also differ. We are all individuals, whether we have dementia or not, and each one of us comes with our own set of characteristics, experiences and personal attributes.
* Equality – Just because a person develops dementia does not mean that the person ceases to exist. People with dementia are just that – people! They have the same wants and needs, and have the ability to feel and experience as much as everyone else. Therefore equality means treating people in a way that is appropriate for their needs.
* Inclusion – Is about equal opportunities for everyone. i.e. Educational inclusion is about equal opportunities for all pupils, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity, attainment and background. It pays particular attention to the provision made for, and the achievement of, different groups of pupils within a school.
1.2 Explain why an individual with dementia has unique needs and preferences
Although people with dementia might exhibit similar signs and symptoms, it is essential to realise that no two people will share exactly the same experience of dementia. This is because an individual’s experience of dementia is not just influenced by the area of the brain that is affected (neurological impairment), but by many factors, all of which make