February 6, 2012

by: Renee Canfield

Quality of Life

Quality of life is an entirely subjective experience, different from person to person and highly influenced by our personal circumstances. Despite the fact that it is not a concrete topic with a check list we can mark off until it is achieved, it is important as a community to have continuous conversations about quality of life and whether or not our community members have access to a high quality of life. The factors and relationships that compose quality of life are the same for all of us, regardless of ability. High quality of life is experienced when a person’s needs and wants are met and when they have the opportunity to pursue life enrichment.

Our agency takes great care to approach our work through the daily practice of core-values that all of our staff share—we pursue excellence through client-centered, collaborative services provided with compassion and integrity. It provides a nice sentence to describe to stakeholders what we believe, but exactly how do our core-values impact our clients’ quality of life?  

Our client-centered approach to services meets clients’ individual physical needs promoting physical well-being.  All of the services at UCP are provided through the lens of what the individual wants and needs. High quality children’s therapy sets individual goals for children based on a team approach that includes the child and their families. Therapists view their young clients in terms of ability and potential, not physical limitations. The same view point is taken by staff serving adult clients in vocational rehabilitation and residential settings—what CAN individuals do and achieve? What do they want to achieve, and how do we support getting them to that goal?

By collaborating with families, between departments and other community providers UCP promotes opportunities for social inclusion for clients of all ages. Family picnics, peer-to-peer interactions, cultural events and providing transportation for social interaction encourage individuals to be part of their community. By collaborating with area employers UCP is also able to improve adult individuals’ financial well-being through employment opportunities that meet each client’s skills.

Services provided with compassion support clients’ emotional well-being and promotes interpersonal relationships between staff members, peers and clients. We look at each client as a person who deserves to be celebrated for who they are, encouraged and supported to achieve their best. We provide supports that encourage them to develop relationships with others around them through small and large group activities, community outings, interaction with volunteers of all ages and guidance in becoming active in their community.

The integrity of our services encourages self-determination and personal development, as well as encourages individuals, families and staff to advocate for themselves and others. Clients and staff are encouraged to take initiative to tackle obstacles in their path and be an active part of the solution. Clients are able to choose their own path of services, goals and voice their opinion as well as participate in activities to learn new skills to obtain their goals.

If you really think about it, our mission is all about supporting our clients and their families to achieve the highest quality life possible. How do you define the elements of high quality of life? What types of things do you do to achieve your own high quality of life and improve it for others?

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