You can support independence and wellbeing by helping them identify opportunities that reflect their strengths and needs. 

A person’s needs can vary. Often several of their basic needs require accommodating. Meeting physical needs can improve physical health, but also psychological health. 

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Physical needs

Opportunities for activities should be based on a person’s interests, abilities and overall health.

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Select the items on the image to reveal examples of opportunities to consider meeting a person's physical needs.

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Psychological needs

Positive mental health is important to overall wellbeing. While in some cases you may need to support a person to access mental health assistance through their GP or psychologist, mental health needs can be supported in other ways. 

A mentally healthy person can cope with life’s stressors, demonstrate resilience and be able to bounce back from hardship. Mentally healthy people are often physically, socially and mentally active, with good social networks and a purpose for their lives.

Good mental health is linked to good physical health, connectedness within the community, and feeling valued and needed. You can facilitate this by encouraging participation and inclusion in activities where they can interact with other people and engage with the community. For example, this could include:

• learning mindfulness skills
• volunteering to help others
• attending individual or group counselling
• taking medication when required
• participating in social opportunities to reduce isolation.

 Read to learn more

Read Look after your mental health and wellbeing from Beyond Blue. Here you can download the Wellbeing Action Tool and learn more about the relationship between mental health and wellbeing.

Spiritual needs

As mentioned earlier in this topic, spiritual needs are different for everyone. Some people have their spiritual needs met through attendance or participation in formal religious ceremonies or services. For others, spirituality is linked to their culture or to nature or mindfulness. You will need to identify what those needs are in the person you are supporting. 

Here are some options that you could explore with a person to meet their spiritual needs:

• attending a church service, prayer service or religious group activities
• joining a group activity that involves time in the natural environment, such as surfing, hiking and camping
• attending a meditation class or using online meditation resources
• participating in cultural ceremonies.

Cultural needs

Cultural connections can be very important to some people. It may be a connection to the country of their birth or their spirituality, family or identity. It is important for workers not to make assumptions regarding cultural needs and to discuss with the person what their needs and wants are.

Here are some options that you could explore with a person to meet their cultural needs: 

• participating in cultural ceremonies
• participating in a cultural group or attending a multicultural centre
• learning a language or practising a language with other native speakers
• participating in an art class or art appreciation group. 

Sexual needs

Most people have sexual needs and this is an important aspect of wellbeing. You should not assume that people with support needs, do not have sexual needs.

This area can sometimes make workers feel uncomfortable, due to their own values and attitudes around sexuality. Or due to wider societal myths and stereotypes about ageing, disability, mental health or gender.

These are some ways you can support a person in your care to meet their sexual needs:

• support the person to access a GP to discuss their needs
• facilitate an appointment with a worker from family planning
• assist people to make an appointment to speak with a counsellor
• provide access to information or services that explain and promote sexual health
• provide a safe environment to discuss sexual needs.

Social needs

Social isolation can have a negative effect on wellbeing and you can facilitate opportunities for engagement and interactions with other people (if that is what they want) to meet their social needs. Some people will require more or less engagement. For some, their family can be an important social support, while for others, social isolation can include being separated from family due to distance, loss or the breakdown of relationships.

These are some options that you could explore with a person to meet their social needs:

• meeting new people at a social club or group
• going out for coffee or a meal with family or friends
• attending a class or course
• learning to use online video conferencing technology to communicate with family or friends 
• attending regular social events. 

Hierarchy of needs

American psychologist Abraham Maslow’s (1908–1970) hierarchy of needs outlines the basic needs that all people have. Maslow suggested that if the most basic of needs (food, water and safety) are not met, then higher needs (self-esteem and self-actualisation) are not attainable.

Self-actualisation refers to a person exploring and realising their own potential, seeking to grow and experience and feeling fulfilled. 

His five-tiered model is divided into five motivational needs. A person must fulfil a lower level need prior to moving to the next level.

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Select the items on the image to reveal more information about these five needs.

 Read to learn more

Read Abraham Maslow, his theory and contribution to psychology to learn more about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

 Reflect

Reflect on the importance of personalising care and the impact of asking the person about their interests. How is this likely to have improved things for Maureen?

Record your thoughts in your notebook or digital device.