When you hear the word control, what comes to your mind? Power? Loss of agency? Fear? All negative thoughts, yes? But In the realm of social care, we view control as something that’s not so linear. Control is not inherently negative; it can be a force for good, a tool to enhance the lives of those in our care and put their best interests at heart. Caring and advocating for vulnerable adults, day to day we hold significant influence over their overall well-being and how they see, and navigate life. It is therefore our greatest responsibility to wield this control we have wisely, ensuring it promotes positive experiences, and they live in a home where they feel safe, valued, and understood.
Understanding Positive Control
It’s not unknown that social care is supposed to protect the wellbeing of vulnerable people. Due to cognitive decline or circumstantial reasons, these individuals sadly are unable to lead their lives independently without intervention. Unfortunately, this system can be sometimes abused and not in the best interest of the person in our care. Control is the unfortunate imperative in social care, but its how it is used is of upmost importance. Social care is for people, and our mission is to ensure it remains so within our community. The control we have over vulnerable individuals must always prioritise their best interests, helping them thrive and remain in a state of wellbeing. Our positive control isn’t about domination or strict regulation; it’s about guiding and supporting individuals to live independently and flourish.
Environmental Control
The control we wield carefully plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s mood and behaviour. A well-organised, clean, and stimulating environment can significantly impact ones emotional and mental state. Simple changes, such as ensuring comfortable lighting, reducing noise levels, and maintaining a comfortable space, can make a world of difference. It’s about creating a space where they feel safe and at ease.
The things we see as minute actions or behaviours day to day has such an immense impact on those around us. How would you like it if one corner of the bed sheets weren’t tucked in neatly? Or the room was too hot? Or you couldn’t hear the television? Now imagine if there was nothing you could do about it, because you simply can’t communicate the way others can. This is why it is so imperative that us as social care professionals to stop and think. To think of the details we often breeze past or see as minute, may just be the difference between psychological safety, to triggering an expressive episode.
Guided Control
Our bodies and minds are influenced by what we consume. Proper nutrition, hydration, and medication management are critical aspects of positive control. We must ensure those in our care have access to a balanced diet and proper nutrition. Of course if an individual would prefer to eat cake for breakfast, we advocate for that too! If it is their choice and desire, who are we to say they can’t enjoy a sweet meal instead of a hot dinner every once in a while. The main factor is we are helping them to fulfil their wants and needs, as every individual has the right to have.
Ensuring that individuals receive and take their medication correctly is a crucial aspect of positive control. If you were to leave the medication in front of the individual, there is quite a high chance they will not take it out of their own free will. So it is our job to guide, remind and encourage. Without this guidance, they’re health is simply being put at risk. Its not about enforcement, its about guiding them to the things that are in their best interest, or a must for their health and safety. For example if we did not provide a family member with the correct medication and they later became expressive or reacted negatively due to this, that is our fault. We have the control how individuals experience and view the world.
Emotional Control
Emotional control is about providing emotional support and understanding. Recognising and validating someone’s feelings can help to feel heard and respected. It’s essential to approach with patience and empathy, especially during confusing times. By offering reassurance and a listening ear, we can help to navigate emotions more effectively. People feed off of people, and the way we manage our own emotions can significantly influence those around us. Negative or controlling language is also something we refrain from using. No one has the right to tell somebody to “sit down” if they wish to stand, or “be quiet” if they wish to shout, it is their home after all.
We have control, and if we don’t communicate effectively, we can leave those in our care feeling lost and anxious. How can a person in care know how to process noise and manage feelings of fear and panic if we don’t guide them? They can’t. So, what can we do about it? The concept of control allows us to bring them into safety, to help them transition their thought process from a state of anxiety to one of calm. The level to which we apply this tool will yield different outcomes.
Creating Positive Experiences
We have the power to control the experience of what the world looks like for those in our care. Whether it’s through controlling lighting, setting up a calming environment, or managing sensory inputs, we can significantly impact how someone feels. Positive control over someone’s feelings can help create behaviours that reflect security and contentment. It’s up to us to identify triggers and help them navigate their responses. We want to create home environments that are full of comfort and laughter that people can safely call home. We have the power to make this happen, its our mission to ensure that everybody’s experience in our Evolve homes, are of good ones.
Control in social care is not just about maintaining order; it’s about empowering and nurturing those in our care. By focusing on positive control, we can make a significant difference in their lives, helping them to thrive and find joy in their daily experiences. Let us commit to using our influence for good, to be the guiding force that leads to a better, happier life for those in our care.