Characteristics

ACRONYM: ASS

AGE

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES

SPECIAL NEEDS

Describe how the characteristics of the dependant can affect the roles of the parent or carer

Age

The age of the dependant will influence the roles of parents and carers.
When a dependant is young, such as an infant or toddler, parents and carers take responsibility to fulfil each of the three roles.
Parents will spend large amounts of time satisfying their specific needs, such as health and adequate standard of living, as dependants do not have the skills to satisfy these needs themselves.
As a child gets older, they may be able to start to develop some independence; they may fulfil some of their health needs themselves, for examples, tasks relating to hygiene and exercise.
As a child matures into adolescent, sense of identity and education become increasingly important.
Promoting wellbeing occurs through meeting the needs of the dependant. A dependant's needs change through the life span; for example, parents will go from meeting the physical needs of a child, to enhancing the self-esteem of a teenager concern with body image, to providing emotional and perhaps economic support to adult children. At every life stage; promoting the wellbeing of the dependant is essential.
A positive relationship occurs when the dependant and parent/carer feel a bond of trust and openness and there is effective communication and a supportive relationship. No matter the age of the dependant, the parent/carer should be working to build a positive relationship.
A positive relationship can be built from birth. When a parent holds, talks to and connects/bonds with the child. As a child grows and is a toddler, positive relationships continue to build by spending time with them. When a dependant reaches their teen years, building a positive relationship may be difficult, especially if they haven't had a relationship since birth, for example with step parents. If a dependant is older, for example, an ageing parent, building a positive relationship will rely on communication and allowing the dependant to maintain their own independence and sense of identity.

Skills and Capabilities

When a dependant lacks skills and capabilities, parents and carers will have to satisfy all of their needs, promote wellbeing and work on maintaining open lines of communication to build positive relationships.
If they have the necessary skills a dependant may be able to satisfy some of their needs. E.g. contribute to meeting their health needs by participating in physical activity and eating a range of fresh food. An adolescent may be able to research and complete homework independently. However, they may need assistance in meeting safety and security needs, through parents setting limits by using curfews.
For a dependant who is high functioning, they can work together with their parents or carers to ensure all needs are met; they may have to build resiliency to promote their own wellbeing, and they may have the skills and capabilities to help support less able family members, such as a young sibling, in tasks such as preparing a simple breakfast.
On the other hand, a carer may need to spend more time to build skills and capabilities in a dependant. A person with a disability may need the carer to continue to satisfy their needs and promote their wellbeing.

Special Needs

When a dependant has special needs, has an illness or injury, age will not define the skills and capabilities that they will have acquired.
Depending on the special need, a dependant (low functioning) may fully reply on the parent or carer to promote their wellbeing, including the fulfilment of physical factors such as toileting and bathing.
Promoting wellbeing is specifically important for those with special needs. They may require more physical and emotional support. E.g. when a dependant is a spouse who may have dementia. Issues may arise due to the shift in roles.
When a dependant relies on a parent/ carer, building a positive relationship may be difficult. Dependant can become angry and frustrated at the situation, leading to conflict. This may be particularly true in situations such as; a person with a recent disability, or becoming a carer for an ageing parent. However, a positive relationship may be easier to build in cases where more time is needed for activities of daily living.
Difficulties in communication may impact on the ability to build a positive relationship. E.g. a child with autism or an aged parent who has had a stroke.
For those with a special need who have some skills and capabilities, they may just need support in daily tasks, or be given the opportunity to meet others to promote their social aspects of wellbeing.

Consolidating Questions

Instructions:

Form groups of three.
Assign one person per question.
Complete your question and then share your learning/ ideas with your group.
- Describe how the characteristics of the dependant may affect a parent or carers ability to satisfy specific needs (6 marks)
- Describe how the characteristics of the dependant may affect a parent or carers ability to build positive relationships (6 marks)
- Describe how the characteristics of the dependant may affect a parent or carer's ability to promote wellbeing (6 marks)

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