In order to provide a person-centred approach to care you must treat those you are caring for as individuals, recognise their individual personal needs, values, and preferences and involve them in the decisions made around the care they receive.
Below are 10 tips to help you when carrying out a person-centred care approach.
- Promote Dignity and Respect– You should always treat those you care for with dignity and respect their privacy. Treat them how you would want your loved ones to be cared for. Their preferences and boundaries may be different to yours, but you should still respect their choices and make the individual feel valued.
- Respect Their Choices– Respecting a person’s right to make decisions, and also respecting the choice they have made, although it may be different from what you recommend, it is key when delivering person-centred care.
- Tailor Care to the Individual– In care, a one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate. All treatments and interventions should be tailored to the needs of the individual promoting independence and should consider factors such as preferences, lifestyle, cultural/ spiritual requirements and emotional needs.
- Involve Them in Decision-Making– Respectfully involve individuals in their care, inform them of every step and provide them with all the relevant information in order for the individual to be able to make an informed decision.
- Gain Consent– Always gain consent before carrying out any care task. It is a legal and ethical principle to obtain valid consent before starting any treatment, physical investigation or providing personal care. The person has a right to say no, and this must be respected.
- Active Listening– Truly listen to the person’s concerns and experiences without interrupting. Validate their feelings and perspectives, and show empathy throughout your interactions.
- Build a Strong Relationship– Spending time getting to know the person you are caring for and not just their medical needs will help you to provide person-centred care. Developing trust and rapport with the person will assist the individual to feel comfortable with the care you provide. However, trust and rapport should never be abused in any capacity.
- Empower and Educate– Helping a person to take control of the level of care they receive and promoting independence where possible, is good practice. Supporting their strengths and providing them with understandable information will help those receiving care to make the best choices for themselves.
- Collaborate with Family and Caregivers– Involve family members or caregivers when appropriate, as they may provide important context and support. Ensure that the care plan is communicated clearly to everyone involved.
- Be Flexible and Adaptable– Care plans need to be reviewed as changes may be required. Review dates should be specific to the client and their care/medical needs.
**Bonus tip to care-providing organisations, no matter how big or small a company you have. Regularly ask for feedback on the care provided. Be open to constructive criticism and use it to improve the person’s experience and outcomes.**
Implementing these tips will help you remain focused on the person, leading to better satisfaction, improved outcomes, and a more compassionate care environment.
