Educating for dignity

Abstract

This paper describes the creation of the educational materials developed as part of the Dignity and Older Europeans Project. Following a discussion of the development process, the materials themselves are described. The materials includes a poster of the dignity balance, which contains five core messages and illustrates the impact of both enhancing and violating individual dignity. The second product is a leaflet that also includes the dignity balance and lists of actions and approaches that will promote dignity or result in indignity. The final product to date is a multidisciplinary workbook which is described in some detail. The workbook Educating for Dignity provides a brief outline of the theoretical model of dignity, and four different sections based on the empirical findings:• understanding dignity• old age ‐ what is it like to be an older person?• dignity in care• the impact of the system.In each section quotations from participants, supplemented with images and cartoons, are used to illustrate various aspects of dignity. Readers are then set exercises to promote reflection about the issues raised. The workbook also contains a discussion of the exercises, an extensive bibliography and some policy implications. Finally, dissemination and use of the materials are explored.