How do we prioritise support ?

Guest post from Kate – Carer Watch member

How do we prioritise support to those people least able to live full and active lives?  Which activities are most essential for everyday life?

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a good starting point:

At the bottom of the hierarchy it’s essential to meet the basic needs such as food, warmth (disabled people are often more inactive and are more likely to be spending long amounts of time at home and therefore are going to incur more heating costs), shelter (housing needs must be met and adapted).

This would also include toilet needs/access to toilets, this is important when disabled people are out.  If there are no toilets nearby or easily accessible, this can prevent or ruin an outing

Bathing and washing hairs’ – there are visible physical disabilities and invisible disabilities. For instance, people who have problems with temperature regulation (a symptom of fibromyalgia) may avoid bathing or washing hair because of their oversensitivity to cold and damp

Moving up the hierarchy after the basic needs are met, come things like protection, security and stability.  This is where legislation would be made to protect vulnerable people.  Health protection would be another example eg being able to access doctors, dentists, be able to have free prescriptions and have support when having routine medical procedures. For instance, because of my disability routine medical procedures can be agony for me eg smears (unable to be completed because of pain), mammograms (been avoided because of likelihood of pain), ear syringe (excrutiating pain), blood pressure checks (unable to have them with automatic inflation, manual ones more bearable)

It’s only when the essential needs are met that a person, disabled or otherwise, can try and engage with the wider society eg being able to participate in social activities without it being assumed that a person is able to work. Both work and social activities can take it out of the disabled and vulnerable but social life can be tailored to an individual’s needs without being pressured by government departments.
An allowance could be the difference between a disabled person participating or not eg an allowance can help with transport or the accompaniment of another person

Creative fulfillments- being able to particpate in creative activities can lift the spirits and feelings of well-being of a disabled person, providing fulfillment and a sense of worth in the way some work can do.
Again this can be tailored to an individuals needs without being pressured by government departments. An allowance could be the difference between a disabled person participating or not eg an allowance can help with transport or the accompaniment of another person.  Feelings of achievement, self worth and fulfillment can only be achieved when the essential needs are met