How a hotelier challenged us to unthink the role of risk in care.
How a hotelier challenged us to unthink the role of risk in care.
How a hotelier challenged us to unthink the role of risk in care.
Does care mean eliminating risk?
Does care mean eliminating risk?
3 mins, July, 2025
3 mins, July, 2025
Does care mean eliminating risk?
3 mins, July, 2025
THE TRAP:
THE TRAP:
THE TRAP:
Care spaces must be risk free.
Care spaces must be risk free.
Care spaces must be risk free.
Care environments are typically designed with safety, consistency, and reliability at their core. The standard of care is shaped by strict protocols and measures aimed at minimising risk - with clinical and operational safety taking precedence in daily routines and decision-making.
Care environments are typically designed with safety, consistency, and reliability at their core. The standard of care is shaped by strict protocols and measures aimed at minimising risk - with clinical and operational safety taking precedence in daily routines and decision-making.
Care environments are typically designed with safety, consistency, and reliability at their core. The standard of care is shaped by strict protocols and measures aimed at minimising risk - with clinical and operational safety taking precedence in daily routines and decision-making.
HOTELIER RE-FRAME:
HOTELIER RE-FRAME:
HOTELIER RE-FRAME:
Care doesn't mean shielding people from risk.
Care doesn't mean shielding people from risk.
Care doesn't mean shielding people from risk.
"The strict control and moderation of care environments may ensure functional protection. But they can also unintentionally diminish people's sense of truly 'living', as their need for safety comes at the cost of spontaneity and autonomy."
-Hotelier
"The strict control and moderation of care environments may ensure functional protection. But they can also unintentionally diminish people's sense of truly 'living', as their need for safety comes at the cost of spontaneity and autonomy."
-Hotelier
"The strict control and moderation of care environments may ensure functional protection. But they can also unintentionally diminish people's sense of truly 'living', as their need for safety comes at the cost of spontaneity and autonomy."
-Hotelier
'Dignity of risk' acknowledges a person's right to make their own choices, even if those choices involve some element of potential injury. By respecting their autonomy and self-determination, individuals feel cared for as they are able to take chances, learn from experiences, and continue to make their own decisions.
"We offer our wheelchair-bound guests the chance to go scuba-diving and wheelchair mountain-biking. They decide how deep and how fast they want to go." - Hotelier
'Dignity of risk' acknowledges a person's right to make their own choices, even if those choices involve some element of potential injury. By respecting their autonomy and self-determination, individuals feel cared for as they are able to take chances, learn from experiences, and continue to make their own decisions.
"We offer our wheelchair-bound guests the chance to go scuba-diving and wheelchair mountain-biking. They decide how deep and how fast they want to go." - Hotelier
'Dignity of risk' acknowledges a person's right to make their own choices, even if those choices involve some element of potential injury. By respecting their autonomy and self-determination, individuals feel cared for as they are able to take chances, learn from experiences, and continue to make their own decisions.
"We offer our wheelchair-bound guests the chance to go scuba-diving and wheelchair mountain-biking. They decide how deep and how fast they want to go." - Hotelier
THE TAKEAWAY:
THE TAKEAWAY:
THE TAKEAWAY:
While eliminating risk can preserve life, enabling risk enhances it.
While eliminating risk can preserve life, enabling risk enhances it.
While eliminating risk can preserve life, enabling risk enhances it.
Instead of focusing on avoiding harm, what if spaces prioritised more meaningful living?
Instead of focusing on avoiding harm, what if spaces prioritised more meaningful living?
Instead of focusing on avoiding harm, what if spaces prioritised more meaningful living?
HOW MIGHT WE:
HOW MIGHT WE:
HOW MIGHT WE:
focus not just on 'designing out' risks, but 'designing in' positive controlled risks?
elevate voices, choices and risk appetites (rather than always relying on top down institutionalised mandates)?
focus not just on 'designing out' risks, but 'designing in' positive controlled risks?
elevate voices, choices and risk appetites (rather than always relying on top down institutionalised mandates)?
focus not just on 'designing out' risks, but 'designing in' positive controlled risks?
elevate voices, choices and risk appetites (rather than always relying on top down institutionalised mandates)?