1.2 Explain how active participation promotes independence in the tasks of daily living

This guide will help you answer 1.2 Explain how active participation promotes independence in the tasks of daily living.

Active participation is a way of involving individuals in decisions and activities that affect their lives. It recognises that everyone should have the right to take part in their own care, make choices, and retain as much control as possible. By encouraging people to actively participate in their own care, this approach can help them maintain and even regain independence in their daily living activities. In this guide, we will look at how active participation supports this.

What is Active Participation?

Active participation is the direct involvement of individuals in the decisions, actions, and choices that relate to their care and daily life. It’s about empowering a person to do things for themselves as much as they are able, while giving them the support they need. Crucially, it allows individuals to express their preferences and have these preferences respected.

This approach is different from a model of care where decisions are made for people. Instead, with active participation, individuals are seen as partners in their care, rather than passive recipients.

Examples of active participation include:

• Allowing someone to choose their clothing for the day.
• Supporting an individual to wash themselves instead of a carer taking over.
• Involving a person in meal preparation, like chopping ingredients or stirring a dish.

Active participation is built on communication, trust, and respect for the individual’s abilities and wishes.

Why Independence Matters

Independence is key to maintaining dignity and quality of life. When a person can do things for themselves, it boosts their confidence, physical abilities, and mental wellbeing. Daily living tasks—like dressing, eating, or managing personal hygiene—help people to feel productive and maintain a sense of self-respect.

Losing independence can make individuals feel like they are no longer in control of their lives. This can lead to feelings of frustration, low self-esteem, and even depression.

Active participation helps to maintain independence because it encourages people to keep using the skills they have or even develop new ones. It focuses on what they can do rather than what they can’t.

Building Confidence and Self-Worth

Involving people in their own care fosters confidence. Each time a person successfully completes a task, no matter how small, it reinforces their abilities. Whether it’s brushing their hair, preparing tea, or folding clothes, these achievements contribute to their sense of competence.

For example, consider someone learning to dress after a stroke. Allowing them to fasten their buttons or pull on their socks—even if it takes longer—shows trust in their abilities. Small accomplishments build over time, boosting confidence.

When people feel capable, they also feel valued. This recognition promotes self-worth, which is vital to emotional wellbeing.

Maintaining Physical Skills

Daily living tasks often involve physical movements, like lifting, reaching, or walking short distances. Encouraging active participation helps individuals to maintain motor skills. This is particularly important for people with limited mobility or those recovering from illness.

For instance:

• Brushing teeth encourages fine motor skills, such as gripping and moving an object with precision.
• Preparing meals involves standing, stirring, and cutting, which supports balance and hand-eye coordination.

If care staff do everything for someone, the person may lose these skills through inactivity. Active participation ensures physical abilities are used and strengthened rather than lost over time.

Supporting Decision-Making Skills

Active participation enables individuals to make choices. When people are given options—such as what to eat, what to wear, or how to arrange their room—they practise decision-making.

This skill is essential for independence. Even small choices reinforce that the person has control over their life. It also ensures their preferences are heard and respected.

Carers can promote decision-making by presenting clear choices. For example:

• “Would you like tea or coffee?”
• “Would you prefer to wear the blue jumper or the red one?”
• “Shall we take a walk in the garden or sit outside the front this afternoon?”

By engaging the individual in this way, carers encourage logical thinking and personal expression.

Promoting Healthy Relationships

When people are actively involved, they are less likely to feel dependent on others. This fosters a more balanced relationship between carers and individuals. Instead of the carer being seen as someone “in charge”, the relationship becomes one of partnership.

Respecting the individual’s voice shows that their opinions and feelings matter. This strengthens trust and encourages open communication. It removes the sense of power imbalance and puts the individual at the centre of their care.

Preventing Learned Helplessness

Learned helplessness occurs when people stop trying because they believe they are unable to do things for themselves. This often happens when carers unintentionally take over tasks the person could handle with some support.

Active participation combats this by encouraging effort. It reinforces to the individual that they are capable and can play a role in their care.

For example, imagine a person with arthritis struggling to cut their food. By providing them with an adaptive knife or allowing extra time, the carer helps them remain independent. If the carer always cut their food for them instead, the person might give up trying.

Encouraging Social Interaction

Everyday tasks can be opportunities for social interaction. For instance, involving someone in setting the table, washing up, or gardening encourages teamwork and conversation. Active participation creates a more inclusive environment, which helps individuals feel connected.

Social activities also combat loneliness and reduce the risk of isolation. Working together on a task—like preparing a meal—fosters a sense of belonging.

Tailoring Support to Individual Needs

Active participation recognises that every person is unique. It respects differences in ability, preferences, and cultural factors. By tailoring tasks to what someone can manage, you can empower them to maintain independence in a way that suits their circumstances.

For example:

• A person with dementia might need prompts for each step when dressing but can still choose their outfit.
• Someone recovering from surgery may be able to brush their hair independently but require help with washing.

Adjusting the level of support ensures the individual remains involved, rather than overwhelmed or disengaged.

Encouraging Responsibility

Active participation invites individuals to take responsibility for their own lives. This could mean organising their medication with support, managing their budget, or tidying their living space.

Taking on responsibilities—even small ones—gives purpose and structure to a person’s day. It reinforces the idea that they are capable of managing aspects of their life.

Overcoming Barriers to Active Participation

Some individuals may be reluctant to take part due to lack of confidence, fear of failure, or previous experiences. Carers can help overcome these barriers by:

• Encouraging effort over perfection.
• Praising achievements, however small.
• Offering reassurance and patience.

Using aids or adaptations can also help. For example, adding grab rails in bathrooms or providing lightweight utensils makes tasks easier and safer.

The Role of the Care Worker

Care workers support active participation by:

• Respecting the individual’s choices and preferences.
• Offering encouragement and guidance.
• Knowing when to step in and when to allow independence.
• Creating opportunities for involvement.

For example, rather than serving a pre-prepared meal, a carer might involve the person in deciding what to cook and help them with tasks they can manage.

Legislation and Policies Supporting Active Participation

In the UK, laws and policies emphasise the rights of individuals to take an active role in their care. The Care Act 2014 and the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) stress person-centred care, which includes promoting independence and involving individuals in decisions.

These frameworks encourage carers to consider the wishes, goals, and needs of the person they are supporting. Active participation is a crucial part of meeting these legal requirements.

Final Thoughts

Active participation is about engaging individuals in their care. It supports independence by building confidence, maintaining skills, encouraging decision-making, and preventing dependency. By involving people in daily activities, carers help them retain control over their lives and improve their overall quality of life. It’s an approach that benefits everyone—creating a more respectful and empowering care environment.