Summarize the given content.

Summarize the given content.

I key-worked a service user, Mrs Rosie (name changed for confidentiality), who had been using a stoma bag for a while but struggled with anxiety and a lack of confidence in changing and maintaining it herself. This impacted her independence, and she often relied on her support workers for assistance, which sometimes left her feeling frustrated and dependent. During one of our key working supports, she mentioned that she wanted to work on wearing her bag independently, and I offered to provide her with guidance and encouragement that could allow her to build her independence. 

 Before starting the task, I encouraged Mrs. Rosie to share her communication and support preferences so that I could take a person-centered approach. I made sure to observe her verbal and non-verbal cues throughout our interaction, paying close attention when she expressed her feelings. This helped me gauge her comfort level and identify any signs of anxiety. This approach allowed me to adjust my support to meet her needs more effectively. I also ensured to observe her verbal and nonverbal,  including her body language, applying the physical attention principle of active listening cues to better understand her level of comfort and recognise any anxiety. Whenever I encountered challenges in communicating, I consulted with other staff, seeking their advice on the most effective ways to communicate31.P13336.K25 344.K25 383.K25 H3122.K25  31.P2 31.P3 31.K2535.K25  31.P4 31.P6 31.P11 31.P14 31.P1 31.P8 31.K42 31.K37 

 
The task involved educating her about stoma bag, cleaning the area, cutting and preparation donning and duffing. I noticed her anxiety caused her to fear, she thought she would make a mistake during the process. The main aim of the task was to help her overcome her anxiety and build confidence so that she could manage the stoma bag on her own. While helping Mrs Rosie with the task, I ensured we worked in her home, to provide a private and comfortable environment that respected her privacy, dignity and was free from distraction. I ensured I explained every process to her before proceeding to the next, I encouraged her to move at her own pace, and ensured she felt comfortable before attempting the task. I also reassured her that she could stop at any time if she felt overwhelmed.31.P9 31.K40 336.K21 344.K21 383.K21 H3122.K21 31.K21 35.K21336.K24  344.K24 31.K24 H3122.K24 383.K12 H3122.K12 336.K12 344.K12  35.K24 31.K12 35.K12 

To ensure prevention and control of infection,  I followed the hygiene protocols outlined in my company's Infection Prevention Policy and the hospital's guidelines during the task. I washed my hands with antibacterial soap, prepared a clean workspace, and used protective equipment. I also guided Mrs. Rosie on proper hygiene practices for cleaning the stoma area and handling the stoma bag.31.K27 32.K16 35.K2732.K24  32.K25 H3122.K27 336.K27 

I ensured I used a person-centered approach with her because I needed to account for her needs and preferences during her supports. I was aware that her anxiety stemmed from a fear of making mistakes and losing control of her care, so I tailored my support to address her emotional and physical needs by encouraging her to communicate using her preferred methods and to express her feelings openly. This approach allowed me to better understand her concerns and provide the appropriate support, ensuring she felt heard and valued throughout the process. I worked at her pace, encouraging her to take small steps without rushing her. Each time we worked together, I would remind her that every small step she took was progress. I made sure to praise her efforts, so she could see her gradual improvement and gain confidence in her abilities. This approach helped reduce her anxiety and increased her willingness to take more responsibility in managing her stoma. When I noticed that she was becoming anxious or overwhelmed during the process, I adapted my communication and approach accordingly. This ensured that she remained comfortable and reassured throughout, enabling her to engage with the task in a way that empowered her 31.P5 31.P16  31.P15 31.P23 31.P20 31.P19 31.P18 31.K21 35.K21 31.K14 35.K14 H3122.K14 383.K14 344.K14 336.K14 

I also ensured that the support I provided was consistent with Mrs. Rosie beliefs, culture, and values. She had expressed her desire to regain her independence, and this was something I considered throughout our supports together. I understood that being dependent on support workers conflicted with her personal values of self-reliance, and I made sure my approach aligned with her goal of regaining control over her own care. Rather than taking over the task, I focused on empowering her, providing the guidance she needed while allowing her to take the lead whenever possible. I always made sure my approach aligned with her beliefs and values.31.K2336.K2 344.K2 383.K2 H3122.K2 32.K2 33.K2 35.K2  31.K13 336.K13 344.K13 383.K13 35.K13 H3122.K13 

One of the key outcomes of this work was supporting Mrs Rosie’s independence. Each time, I encouraged her to participate in the process. Initially, I demonstrated how to change the bag, explaining each step in detail. Over time, I gradually encouraged her to try the task herself, first under my supervision and then independently. I praised her progress at every step and reassured her that mistakes were part of the learning process. Doing this with her helped build her confidence, as she saw her own capabilities growing over time.31.K38 

Additionally, I provided Mrs Rosie with visual aids and step-by-step instruction that she could refer to if needed when performing the task on her own. This helped to reinforce the instructions we had covered during our sessions and provided her with a sense of security when she was ready to try managing her stoma bag without assistance. Over time, Mrs Rosie became more confident in her abilities and was eventually able to change her stoma bag independently. This was an achievement that not only improved her physical self-care but also had a positive impact on her mental well-being, as it restored a sense of control and autonomy that she had felt was lost.31.P10 31.P12 31.K39 

Understanding this experience through Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has helped me better support Mrs. Rosie’s development and well-being. Maslow’s theory outlines five levels of need, physiological, security needs, social needs, esteem, and self-actualisation. Although Mrs. Rosie's basic needs were being met, her anxiety and lack of confidence indicated that her esteem level needs were not being met. Her fear of making mistakes and losing control impacted her self-worth. By encouraging her to take gradual steps and providing reassurance, I was supporting her in rebuilding her confidence, which is essential for meeting her esteem needs. This, in turn, helped her move toward greater independence and emotional well-being. Maslow’s theory notes how psychological and emotional factors are just as important as physical ones, and how all levels of need interact to influence development. This knowledge has deepened my understanding of the factors that affect the individuals I support, aligning with my responsibility to promote holistic care. 31.K22 35.K22 H3122.K22 383.K22 344.K22 336.K22 

In reflecting on my work with Mrs. Rosie, I believe the approach I took was effective in many ways. However, through reflective practice, I identified areas for improvement. For instance, while I achieved progress with her, I could have slowed the pace of our sessions further, broken down tasks into smaller steps, and introduced visual aids earlier. These adjustments would have better addressed her needs, reducing her anxiety and reinforcing her learning. My work with Mrs. Rosie was guided by The Health and Social Care Standards (2017), which emphasize dignity, respect, and person-centered care. Reflecting on my practice, I recognized the importance of adapting my approach to better support her independence while reducing her anxiety. The standards highlight that care should be tailored to individual needs.  Using the reflective practice model, I have considered questions such as: What did I learn from this experience? and What would I change in the future? I realized that incorporating relaxation techniques could have helped manage her anxiety more effectively. Encouraging Mrs. Rosie to self-reflect more on her progress might also have boosted her confidence, fostering a sense of empowerment.31.K23 33.K8 35.K23  336.K23 344.K23 383.K23 H3122.K23 31.K6