Services That Are Kind

I wrote a couple weeks ago about providing services that are kind in order to head off the potential to harm or abuse people who are unable to protect themselves. Vulnerable

Each one of us will define "kind" differently. Some dictionary definitions of kindness include being generous, warm, considerate, pleasant, gentle, thoughtful, and safe.

As a support person for people with intellectual disabilities, are you providing services that are kind? If you have never thought about services in this way, I'll start you out with some questions you can ask yourself.

Are the services and supports you provide something that you would want?

Do you say please and thank you when asking someone to do something?

Do you pay attention to the person when they have asked for attention?

Do you actively help them to get what they need and want when they can't get it for themselves?

Do you include them in the process of what services they want and how they want them?

Are you enthusiastic when greeting an individual you support?

Do the individuals feel safe and secure in your presence?

Do you take the time to try to make a connection with them?

When all the work is done, do you go out of your way to spend time with someone in which no demands are being placed on them?

Are you too kind, meaning that you are so treacly as to be condescending yet think you are being kind?

Have you asked the person what they need to support them to have a high quality of life?

If they have behaviors that cause them problems or get them into trouble, have you included them in the plan to address the behaviors?

Are you approachable?

Do you truly miss the person if they are out for the day?

Are you enthusiastic about the work you do?

Do you remember why you got into this field?

When you are at work, do you put the individuals' needs before your own?