Kaimahi have the responsibility to support people living with HIV by caring for their hauora (overall wellbeing). This means not just supporting people’s physical needs, but also considering their emotional, social, and spiritual health too. This does not mean Kaimahi have to agree with people’s choices in life, but rather adapt how things are done to help make people being cared for, feel comfortable and valued for who they are.
Adopting a whole-person approach is mana-enhancing. It guarantees people will receive the best possible care while also feeling empowered and respected.
Supporting someone living with HIV
Kaimahi need to think about how they can make sure support services are inclusive, of everyone. Feeling inclusive means everyone feels like they belong and can be themselves without worrying about being treated badly or differently.
Keeping information private and confidential
Maintaining confidentiality is essential to ensure the dignity and respect of anyone living with HIV.
If we know someone in our care is living with HIV, we are legally required to keep this private and confidential. A person living with HIV, or their whānau, must give permission for information to be shared. All Kaimahi must follow the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.
Providing compassionate care
Giving compassionate care is all about being kind, respectful, and understanding to anyone being supported. This means listening to people’s feelings and needs, and making sure they feel important and respected. It is more than just doing the basic physical care needs – it is about truly connecting with people. Compassionate care creates a warm and supportive place where everyone can feel that they matter and are being well looked after.
Listen and seek permission
Actively listening to people’s needs and preferences and involving them in their care is important. For example, not assuming people want or need help with everything and asking if people would like help doing a particular task. Use a person’s name when talking with them. Don’t call people other names like ‘dear’.
Being safe
This means making sure the people we are supporting, including whānau, partners and friends, feel welcomed and respected. Understanding and respecting things like people’s bodies, religion and beliefs, language and culture, gender, sexuality, and other differences is very important. For some people the body is sacred particularly areas like the head and genitals. Cleaning or touching these areas needs to be done with permission, respect, and integrity to keep the person’s mana and dignity intact.
Calling out stigma and discrimination
In ways which are safe and manageable for us, we can challenge and call out stigma and discrimination when we see it. Not to embarrass or shame others but to help educate. Sharing this website can be a way we might choose to do this and ensure the voices of people living with HIV are heard and respected.
We need to keep thinking about how we can make our services and places more inclusive for everyone. When we do this well, everyone feels like they belong and can be themselves without worrying about being treated badly or differently.