A Scottish charity has warned carers that too much devotion can hamper their loved one's ability to live life to the full
Carers who are too efficient may be violating the human rights of the person they care for, a charity has said.
C-Change Scotland said that some family members are doing too much for their loved ones, which robs them of independence and self-determination.
The charity, which runs the Dates ‘n’ Mates events in Glasgow, Renfrewshire and Aberdeen, says people with learning disabilities often haven’t been given sexual health messages and are discouraged from enjoying dates and friendships with the opposite sex.
It says family members can also infringe on a person’s rights in everyday ways by choosing their clothes and their activities.
C-Change chief executive Dr Sam Smith said: “Through nothing but love and devotion, protective families may look after a relative so well that their individuality is effectively stifled and their right to choose is silenced.
“We see it in what people wear and the things they do but most of all, we see it in the social isolation of young people who are protected from going out and forming relationships of their own.”
C-Change works with individuals and families to reset that balance and to provide individuals with a risk assessment which more realistically balances the need to be safe with the right to have an independent life.
This may see people going out alone for the first time; going on holidays with friends or going to events such as nightclubs and dances.
Smith added: “Very often, individuals may not have been coached in relationship skills or sexual health and wellbeing, if that level of independence has not been expected to be part of their lives. But it’s such a privilege to see people blossom when they are encouraged to have these conversations and given opportunities to try things out for themselves.”
C-Change employs personal development workers wherever possible from the same community as those with whom they work, in order to maximise local familiarity and knowledge.
Their aim is to work closely with individuals to form more natural support networks among family, friends and the wider community.
