2.1 Think about what matters
At the core of all discussions that took place during our research was what matters for the person with a learning disability to ensure that they have a good, happy life.
Activity 2 What matters to the person for whom you care
Watch Dawn and Pam talk about what they value about where they live. Make some notes if you wish.
Transcript
LISA: What kind of things really help make a caring environment for people? So what kind of things help with that?
DAWN: Having the right support.
LISA: Yeah. And you’re happy with that support?
DAWN: Yeah.
LISA: I guess, how they support you, and who supports you.
DAWN: Yeah.
LISA: Definitely, that’s a big one.
PAM: Having your health checks regularly.
LISA: Yeah. So I guess, thinking about--
PAM: That’s very important.
LISA: Think about your health, definitely. Linked to that, there’s also keeping healthy, isn’t it?
PAM: Yeah.
DAWN: Yeah.
LISA: So thinking about what you’re eating.
DAWN: And exercise.
LISA: Exercising too. Definitely. What other things make a caring environment for you guys?
PAM: Making it as homely as possible with pictures and comforts.
LISA: Yeah. And that’s just stuff that you love, really. And having your own space, your privacy. I think, that’s so important. Dawn, can you think of any other things?
DAWN: Yeah. Hanging out with your friends.
LISA: Yeah. And spending that time with other people.
DAWN: Yeah.
LISA: Because I think, you really enjoy that, don’t you?
DAWN: Yeah.
LISA: You have so many friends, Dawn. What kind of things do you do with your friends?
DAWN: We play cards. We play dominoes. We cook for one another.
LISA: That’s really nice. You have those nice chats with people about life, about death.
DAWN: Oh gosh. Yeah.
LISA: And I think, it’s really nice to have those people to support you, I think. And I think, it helps make such a really good, caring environment where it’s also-- you get more out of life, I suppose, when you get to spend time with people you love, and do things that you want to do, too. Cool. Thank you.
Are there any other things you want to--?
PAM: Friends and family are important, just as much as your pets.
LISA: True that. So spending time with them, doing things you want to do with them.
PAM: I have a very supportive family. So I’m quite lucky.
LISA: You all very, very lucky on that front, Pam, definitely. Any other things you can think of?
DAWN: Your animal, your pets. You have to have them around you.
LISA: Especially, with your cats, yeah. Aside from what they did the other day.
DAWN: Well, yeah.
LISA: Any other things you can think of? I think, you got most of it.
PAM: I think, that’s it.
DAWN: Yeah.
Comment
Dawn and Pam mentioned the importance to them of:
- being in a homely environment
- having the right support
- having privacy
- having their own space
- having opportunities to keep healthy, socialise with their friends, enjoy their pets and to see their family.
Things that the carers in our research also took into consideration were:
- if they want to live in a city, the suburbs or the countryside
- if they want to live on their own or live with others
- if they want to live near family and/or people they know
- if they want to continue to be involved with the family
- are there good transport links?
- will they be near shops?
- are there any accessibility needs?
- will the person be able to stay in their new home as they grow older?
- can they continue to do the things they love?
- can they be involved in the community?