Introduction
A significant percentage of our population is currently living under some special care due to their needs. The statistics are indeed a profound tragedy and a point of concern for the government and the society as a whole.
Analysis of the care needs
The care needs of disabled people
The conditions warranting these care needs may be congenital, developmental, or might transmit diseases and infections. There are cases in which trauma and the physical environment have also caused limitations in the effective performance of daily needs or major life activities (Begg 2014).
My understanding of care needs
In my understanding, care needs are individual needs according to any person with limited ability in developmental, physical, cognitive, sensory, behavioural, mental or emotional impairments. These limiting conditions may include, but not limited to medical and health care interventions and the use of specialised services.
Examples of care needs
There are various kinds of care needs; to make a smooth identification of specific needs they have been broken down into four types (Greaves 2013). They include:
Felt needs
These are the experienced needs based on the wants and feelings of the individuals. They include personal care and comfort, social participation and involvement, and control over daily life.
Express needs
These are the needs inferred from fundamental communal health statutes; they include meals and adequate nutrition.
Normative needs
These are the requirements concerning professional and expert opinions. It includes medication and other rehabilitative initiatives.
Comparative needs
These are the needs of service provisions with respect to another community with similar needs. These include role support from a carer or parent.
Using the Maslow’s pyramid, the needs of the disabled individuals in the society are discussed as follows; first there are the physiological needs (Gralton 2011). These include water, food, shelter and warmth. These needs are so essential that operating without them means that one cannot move to the next step of the pyramid. Having satisfied the physiological needs the individuals’ needs move onto the next step that is safety, and here the needs extend towards receiving and having a constant and consistent sense of security.
After these steps, the disabled also need to belong and feel the love to move to the step of having confidence and self-esteem (Gralton 2011).
Current systems
A discussion on the new system
With the well-being of the care of specific individuals at heart, many members of the society have devised ways of giving care and support (Bradley 2010). Such methods include, but not limited to;
Inclusive schooling
Avoiding stigma is one of the primary ways of protecting the people with individual needs. Inclusive education is a great way of helping them to fit in and to feel like the part of the society so that they can become meaningful members as well.
Early assessment
In this support structure, early diagnosis sets the stage for evaluation of employing proper methodology in the support system. At this point, the problem is defined, and probable solutions are formulated.
Daily ongoing support
The current regular support refers to the continued support for all members of the society towards the realisation of the particular needs of the individuals, including extra curricula activities. As discussed above, the inclusion goes a long way in enhancing the quality of life of the individuals with personal needs. It extends to the co-curriculum, it is imperative to note that even the disabled offer significant contributions to this area.
Supporting the loved one
It means working with the relatives and professionals to administer and ensure holistic support towards the realisation of their particular needs.
Other systems
It also includes government legislation to help realise the health and social needs. The government can offer financial aid to persons and the families of the people who require the special care so as to show support.
The family-professional partnership is another system that seeks to create a partner decision-making process across the board. There is also health insurance and financing; these systems are aimed to help in the process of the fund management used for the purposes of the care of needs and care services (Emerson & Einfeld 2011).
Services in my locality
Advantages and Disadvantages
The partnership has been pivotal to their well-being and has helped the whole community (Bouras & Holt 2007). These services play a big role in improving the quality of life of individuals with special needs. They provide many other advantages, including the fact that they also help the families of these individuals financially. The early assessments have made it easy to find the appropriate care methodology to the individuals at the right time. The main disadvantage of all this is that these services have to be tailored down to the particular individuals which makes them very expensive (Bouras & Holt 2007).
Initiative
In my locality, these services are available. An excellent example is the local community centre that has worked with persons with special needs since its establishment to show that they are worth to the society (Rhodes & Silvers 2012). Amy’s House in Sheffield was established as a pilot scheme in 2005. The centre works with special needs inclusion Playcare Service (SNIPS) to help meet the needs of those with disabilities and their families. It provides a fun and safety environment for children with special needs.
My recommendation and conclusion
My recommendation, as I conclude, is that there should be established more charity organisations that would serve to raise funds for the well being of these individuals. Also the individuals themselves should be provided with the opportunity to be included in such initiatives. It is supposed to protect all persons who need the care services.
References
Begg, A 2014, Monitoring the performance of the department for work and pensions in 2012-13, The Stationery Office, London.
Bouras, N & Holt, G 2007, Psychiatric and behavioural disorders in intellectual and developmental disabilities, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Bradley, M, 2010, Veterans’ benefits and care, Nova Science Publishers, New York.
Emerson, E & Einfeld, S 2011, Challenging behaviour, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Gralton, E 2011, Forensic issues in adolescents with developmental disabilities, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London.
Greaves, I 2013, Disability rights handbook, Disability Rights, London.
Rhodes, R & Silvers, A 2012, Medicine and social justice, Oxford University Press, New York.