At its core, person-centred care is about recognising and valuing each of your client’s unique needs, preferences and life experiences. This approach not only enhances care quality but also empowers those you care for, giving them a voice throughout their care journey.
And the Care Quality Commission (CQC) states as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: Regulation 9, ‘Providers must do everything reasonably practicable to make sure that people who use the service receive person-centred care and treatment that is appropriate, meets their needs and reflects their personal preferences, whatever they might be.’
In this article, we’re exploring what is meant by person-centred care and why person-centred care is so important.
What is person-centred care?
Person-centred care places those receiving care at the forefront of all care decisions. It involves understanding the whole person and creating a care plan that reflects both their personal desires and goals, as well as their care needs.
A person-centred approach to care means building strong, compassionate relationships that respect the person’s identity and choices, ensuring that their care plan is as unique as they are.
What are the core values of person-centred care?
1. Personalised care and support
As you know, personalisation is key in person-centred care. It means tailoring support and treatment to fit the individual’s specific needs and preferences. And by creating these unique care plans, it ensures that every person your service cares for receives support that is relevant and meaningful to them, ultimately leading to improved care and satisfaction outcomes.
2. Kindness and respect
Another vital part of person-centred care is treating those you care for with dignity, compassion and respect. Throughout every care decision, everyone has a right to make decisions about their own lives with their choices being appropriately respected. And by doing so, your service establishes a strong level of trust with your clients and their families.
3. Care quality and independence
Of course, person-centred care not only improves the quality of care your service delivers, but also enhances the individual’s sense of independence. By involving them in each decision and supporting them to take control of their care, you help empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives with as much autonomy as possible, whether they are receiving care in their own home, in the community or in a residential setting.
The importance of person-centred care
There are a host of benefits of person-centred care. And whilst person-centred care is valuable for those you care for; it is also hugely impactful for both your staff and your service too.
Of course, person-centred care can significantly enhance the quality of care your clients receive because their care plan will outline their unique needs and preferences. And by focusing on what matters most to your clients, it helps empower them to take active roles in their care decisions, boosting their overall care outcomes and experience with your service.
But it doesn’t end there. Adopting a person-centred approach can also lead to stronger, more trusting relationships with your clients and an increase in job satisfaction for your staff. By allowing clients to take the lead in their care needs, you reduce the risk of your staff having to manage a poor experience when a client has felt they weren’t treated as an individual.
And because your hardworking teams are able to engage with their clients on a personal level, they’re able to witness firsthand the incredibly positive impact of their care on the lives of those they serve. This relationship-building can be key for reducing burnout and could even attract new clients or employees to you rather than going elsewhere.
Examples of person-centred care practices
What does person-centred care mean for those you care for? Here are a few examples of what person-centred care may look like:
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Personalised care plans
As we’ve mentioned, a key part of person-centred care is developing thorough care plans that are tailored to reflect an individual’s personal goals and preferences. This involves not only detailing the physical and medical needs but also ensuring that their emotional well-being is supported too. By getting each client involved from the start of the onboarding processes, and tweaking plans as their needs evolve, you're creating an environment where they feel truly supported and valued.
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Listening and observing
Having meaningful conversations with your clients is crucial to truly understanding their needs and preferences. Plus, active listening goes beyond hearing their words; it involves attentively understanding and responding to what they’re communicating on all levels. And by letting them pick daily activities and adjust routines to fit their preferences, your care teams can ensure that they are helping promote that important sense of autonomy and control.
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Collaborative decision-making
Involving individuals and their families in every aspect of care planning and decision-making is also essential for person-centred care. This collaborative effort ensures everyone stays in the loop and feels empowered throughout the care journey. Plus, making information easily accessible, perhaps via cloud-based software, means informed decisions can be made swiftly and confidently anytime there's a change in care needs.
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Timely access to care
Ensuring that individuals receive the care they need on time is another critical part of person-centred care. This involves coordinating resources and staff schedules to meet the individual's needs, ensuring that care is delivered efficiently. By doing so, your service can prevent the escalation of issues and enhance the overall quality of care.
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Support for independent living
As you know, empowering your clients to take charge of their daily tasks can greatly enhance their quality of life. Providing tools like shower seats, personal care aids, or even monitoring devices for safety gives them the autonomy to handle their routines with more confidence. This independence is key for providing that level of control over their lives.
Care business management for person-centred care
Person-centred care runs at the heart of every client’s journey and is supported by care workers who have tools that show them up-to-date client care plans at the point of care. Yet delivering person-centred care can often be easier said than done for many providers whose current processes simply cannot keep up with their growing needs.
Our DSCR assured Care Business Management solution, previously known as Care Cloud, is designed for any type of care or support provider, giving you total visibility of your core organisational needs.
Get in touch today to see how care business management can enhance your organisation.