Putting dignity at the heart of caring (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Growing Older Living in Darlington develops 'dignity' course for carers
1:59pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Alexa Copeland, Reporter (Darlington)
Community Development worker Claire Llywelyn, centre, talks with GOLD volunteers Audrey Lax, left and Terry Taylor about the Dignity in Care campaign at a charity morning in St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Darlington.
A TRAINING scheme has been launched to help raise awareness of the importance of dignity for elderly care home residents.
Members of GOLD - Growing Older Living in Darlington – developed the course to give carers an extra qualification and to put dignity at the heart of care homes in the town.
The initiative is part of GOLD’s Dignity Challenge campaign and was launched at St Cuthbert’s Church Hall today (Friday, February 1).
Councillor Veronica Copeland, Darlington Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and housing said: “Dignity in care has been one of our priorities for some time.
“We have highlighted the need to respect our older residents by holding events to mark national Dignity Action Day every year and now we want to take it further.’’
She added: “We all need patience, kindness and understanding and above all else we want to be treated like human beings and this is what dignity in care is all about.
“We are not saying that care home staff don’t treat their residents with dignity, we are saying we want to support them and make life a bit happier for everyone involved.’’
GOLD volunteers will deliver the training course which consists of a series of modules for care home staff to work through and discuss.
