3.4 Adapt support methods to take account of preferences or anxieties

This guide will help you answer 3.4 Adapt support methods to take account of preferences or anxieties.

Preferences are the things a person likes, wants, or chooses for themselves. In health and social care, a preference could be anything from how someone likes their tea to beliefs about medical treatment. Anxieties are feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear. People may have anxieties about new situations, unfamiliar staff, or changes in routines.

Everyone is unique. People’s preferences and anxieties matter because they affect daily life and overall wellbeing. For support to be effective, it must be flexible. This means workers must notice and respond to each person’s wishes and worries.

Reasons to Adapt Support Methods

Adapting means changing how you provide support to suit the individual. This approach treats people as individuals, not just as symptoms or problems to be fixed. When you adapt support, you show respect for personal choices and address fears directly, reducing distress and building trust.

Adapting support methods:

• Encourages independence and self-esteem
• Builds positive, trusting relationships
• Improves the person’s quality of life
• Reduces distress and challenging behaviour
• Helps people feel safe and valued

How to Recognise Preferences

Preferences can be shared in many ways. Some people can voice their opinions clearly. Others might show preferences through their actions, routines, or reactions.

You can recognise preferences by:

• Listening carefully when someone talks about likes or dislikes
• Observing reactions to food, routines, or support methods
• Asking simple, respectful questions
• Reading care plans or notes from family
• Talking with the person’s key contacts or family, if appropriate

Support should respect cultural, religious, and language preferences. Being open, curious, and respectful helps you learn what works best.

How to Recognise Anxieties

Anxieties may come and go. People might not always say when they are anxious. Signs could include:

• Becoming withdrawn or quiet
• Restlessness, fidgeting, or distress
• Refusing care or new routines
• Complaints about stomach aches or headaches without a clear cause
• Changes in appetite or sleep

Sometimes, anxieties are linked to past experiences, trauma, or a fear of losing control. You should be sensitive and non-judgemental when discussing worries.

Adapting Support: Examples for Preferences

Example 1: Daily Routines

Someone prefers to wake up late and have breakfast in bed. If the care plan allows, you could:

• Adjust support schedules to suit their waking times
• Offer breakfast choices and serve them where the person feels most comfortable
• Avoid pressuring the person to follow set routines unless it is needed for health reasons

Example 2: Food and Drink

A person dislikes certain textures or flavours. You might:

• Offer food that matches their tastes wherever possible
• Allow extra time at mealtimes
• Respect religious or cultural food rules

Example 3: Personal Care

Someone wants a bath rather than a shower. You could:

• Plan support so the bath is available at the right time
• Support them with privacy and their chosen bath products
• Ask about preferences for water temperature, lighting, or music

Adapting Support: Examples for Anxieties

Example 1: Fear of New Staff

A person feels anxious around staff they do not know. You might:

• Introduce new workers slowly and with a familiar team member present
• Give extra time for the person to get used to new people
• Keep to regular staff wherever possible

Example 2: Health-Related Anxieties

Someone feels anxious about going to the doctor. You could:

• Talk through the appointment calmly and in advance
• Offer to go with the person for support
• Use relaxation techniques like deep breathing
• Allow them to bring a comfort object if this helps

Example 3: Change in Environment

A person shows distress when furniture is moved. You should:

• Discuss any changes with the person and gain their input
• Make alterations slowly, one thing at a time
• Leave personal items in familiar places

Communication When Adapting Support

Clear, respectful communication is key. Involve the person in decisions as much as possible.

Steps include:

• Asking for consent before making changes
• Explaining support options in ways the person understands
• Checking if changes have helped or made things worse
• Giving positive feedback for trying new things
• Allowing time for the person to process information

If someone struggles to communicate, you can use pictures, signs, objects, or other tools. Always adapt your approach to match their abilities.

Working with Others

Sometimes, adapting support means working with other professionals, family members, or advocates. Examples include:

• Getting advice from occupational therapists for equipment preferences
• Involving speech and language therapists for communication needs
• Consulting with family or friends to find out about past routines or triggers

Collaboration brings extra knowledge and helps build a better support plan.

Flexibility in Support

Being flexible means being willing to change and try new things. Some days, a person may want more help, some days less. Preferences and anxieties may change over time or in response to events.

Good practice includes:

• Regularly reviewing care plans
• Noticing changes in mood, behaviour, or needs
• Being open to feedback and ready to adjust
• Accepting that what works for one person might not work for another

Benefits of Adapting Support

Adapting support to suit preferences and anxieties can:

• Increase a person’s confidence and engagement
• Reduce stress for the person and carers
• Improve cooperation and reduce conflicts or refusals
• Build trust and sense of partnership
• Promote better health outcomes

Ignoring preferences and anxieties often leads to distress, withdrawal, or even physical health problems.

Respect and Dignity

At all times, adapt your approach in a way that respects the person’s dignity and rights. Always seek consent, offer choices, and listen without judgement. Even small details, like how someone wants to be addressed, can make a big difference.

Final Thoughts

Adapting support methods to preferences or anxieties means listening and responding as an individual. It makes support more effective, reduces distress, and improves quality of life. Use clear communication, be observant, and always put the person’s wishes at the centre of your work. This approach helps build trusting relationships and supports wellbeing and independence.