This document reflects the input of patients, clients, residents, their families and the broader community. It is Providence Care’s commitment to treat all individuals with respect, dignity and compassion. Our Patient, Client & Resident Declaration of Values is complimentary to the specific bills of rights and pledges made by various Providence Care programs and services. The following examples are taken directly from those many documents.
1. Respect
As a patient, client or resident of Providence Care, I value respect. To me, this means I have the right to be treated with respect by those who are providing care and services to me. Some examples are:
- Right to receive information in words I can understand.
- Right to know what is going on with my care.
- Right to have information about me discussed privately with me and not to have any information about me shared with others without permission.
- Right to “be treated with courtesy and respect and to be free from mental and physical abuse.”
- Right to be treated in a manner that recognizes my individuality and that respects my dignity, and cultural, ethnic, spiritual, linguistic and regional differences.
- Right to communicate in confidence, receive visitors of my choice and consult in private with any person without interference.
2. Dignity
As a patient, client or resident of Providence Care, I value dignity. To me, this means I am an individual with my own feelings and needs, and that my dignity as a person must be respected by those who provide me care and services. Some examples are:
- Right to make choices and have all the information I need to make good choices.
- Right to raise concerns or recommend change in connection with community services provided to me.
- Right not to have my freedom limited any more than absolutely necessary.
- Right to have people who support me involved in my care as I decide.
- Right to be treated in a manner that respects my dignity and privacy and that promotes my autonomy.
- Right to give or refuse consent to the provision of services.
- Right to be afforded privacy in treatment and in caring for my own personal needs.
- Right to have my lifestyle and my choices respected.
3. Compassion
As a patient, client or resident of Providence Care, I value compassion. I know Providence Care is committed to “enhancing quality of life by meeting the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of each person,” and that tells me I can expect to be treated with compassion and as a whole person. Some examples are:
- Right to receive support in meeting my recovery goals.
- Right to have family and friends present 24 hours per day if I am dying or very ill.
- Right to form friendships and relationships and to participate in the life of the long-term care home, hospital or community service program.
