Meaning of Person-Centred Care
Person-centred care is an approach developed to prioritise an individual’s unique needs, preferences, and choices in their care and assistance. It involves working together with the individual to share decisions, plan care, and ensure that their own health and wellbeing outcomes are co-produced by both the individual and the healthcare professionals. The understanding that care should revolve around a person’s character and identity rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach stems from the social model of care.
The human-first approach of person-centred care enables people to have their voices heard and their dignity respected, granting every person an equal chance to live an independent and fulfilling life, both within the comfort of their homes and within the community.
Value and Importance of Principles of Person-Centred Care
Holding an immense commitment to person-centred values and importance within health and social support settings means maintaining accurate support services coordination and taking an active role in care coordination that meets people’s health and social needs. Person-centred care ensures a more holistic and meaningful approach to healthcare delivery by prioritising the individual’s needs, desires, and decisions in their everyday tasks.
Overall, the principles of person-centred care uphold the values of individuality, dignity, empowerment, and autonomy. They are flexible, recognising that individuals change over time and that what is important to one person may not be as crucial to another. By embracing these principles, we can create a more compassionate and effective care environment that truly respects and addresses people’s preferences and aspirations.
Respect Towards the Individual
Respecting the individual means actively listening to their needs, preferences, and concerns without judgment. It involves treating them as equal partners in their care, valuing their input, and involving them in decision-making processes. By recognising and affirming the individual’s autonomy, healthcare providers create a collaborative and empowering environment that fosters trust and mutual respect.
Person-centred care also centres on the cultural, religious, and personal beliefs of each individual. It necessitates healthcare providers to demonstrate cultural sensitivity, open-mindedness, and an embrace of diversity while tailoring care to align with individual values and practices.
Treating People with Dignity
Treating people with dignity is one of the core principles of person-centred care that emphasises the inherent worth and value of every individual. It involves recognising and honouring their inherent dignity, regardless of their health, abilities, or background.
Treating people with dignity means showing respect, empathy, and compassion in all aspects and processes during the care support. What’s more, it involves actively listening to their concerns, validating their emotions, and involving them in decisions about their care. By actively engaging individuals and valuing their perspectives, healthcare providers create an environment that promotes independence and empowerment.
Maintaining Confidentiality
Maintaining confidentiality is a crucial aspect of person-centred care that upholds an individual’s right to privacy, and fosters trust in the healthcare relationship. It involves respecting and safeguarding the confidentiality of personal and sensitive information shared by the individual.
Care providers are ethically and legally bound to protect the confidentiality of information about the people they serve. This means that personal health details, medical records, and any other private information should only be accessed, used, and disclosed on a need-to-know basis. Respecting confidentiality builds confidence in individuals, assuring them that their personal information will be kept secure and will not be shared without their consent. Therefore, maintaining confidentiality is an essential principle of person-centred care.
Involvement in Decisions and Respect for Preferences
The involvement of the individual requiring support in decisions about the care is crucial when discussing person-centred care principles. This approach recognises that individuals have the right to be informed, engaged, and have their preferences respected throughout the care process.
In person-centred care, individuals are seen as partners in their own care journey. We actively involve them in decision-making processes by providing clear and understandable information about their health, ongoing treatment options, and potential risks and benefits. This allows them to make informed decisions that align with their values, goals, and personal circumstances. What’s more, involving people in the decision-making process results in a more independent and fulfilling life.
Leaf Complex Care actively involves people in decision-making processes regarding their health and well-being, empowering them to voice their preferences and concerns.
Attention to the Individual's Physical and Environmental Needs
Attention to the individual’s physical and environmental needs is a crucial aspect of person-centred care because it emphasises the importance of creating a comfortable and safe care environment. This principle of person-centred care also emphasises the understanding that physical surroundings and environment play a significant role in an individual’s overall well-being and sense of security.
Person-centred care takes into account the individual’s physical needs, such as pain management, hygiene, nutrition, and mobility. What’s more, healthcare providers ensure that these needs are assessed, understood, and appropriately addressed. This involves personalised care plans that consider the individual’s specific health challenges, abilities, and preferences. By attending to these physical needs, person-centred approaches enhance the individual’s comfort, promote healing, and improve their overall quality of life.
Support for Family and Carers
Support for family and carers is an integral component of person-centred care that recognises the significant role they play in the well-being and care of the individual. Person-centred care extends its focus beyond the individual and acknowledges the importance of the support network surrounding them.
Family members and carers often provide essential support, assistance, and emotional support to the individual. What’s more, person-centred care recognises the value of their involvement and actively supports and collaborates with them. This includes providing information, education, and resources to help family members and carers better understand the individual’s challenge, coordination and plan ongoing treatment options, and care requirements.
A person-centred approach also considers the well-being of family members and carers themselves. It recognises the potential physical, emotional, and financial challenges they may experience in their caregiving roles. Person-centred care acknowledges and honours their contributions by providing support for family and carers, fostering collaborative and coordinated care.
Effective Treatment Provided by Trusted Healthcare Professionals
Effective treatment provided by trusted care providers is the foundation of person-centred care. It involves delivering high-quality, bespoke care by skilled and knowledgeable healthcare providers who pay particular attention to the individual’s well-being and are trusted by the individual and their support network.
Person-centred care strongly emphasises the competence and expertise of healthcare professionals.
Leaf Complex Care Applies Person-Centred Care Approach
We at Leaf Complex Care are driven by our mission to provide a person-centred approach to care that caters to the unique needs and preferences of individuals. Our team of care experts ensures each person actively participates in their healthcare journey, nurturing a collaborative and humanised relationship, resulting in positive health behaviours based on their own strengths.
Our care services ensure that individuals receive high-quality care based on their specific needs while fostering a trusting and supportive relationship. What’s more, we create a future where personalised care revolutionises how we prioritise people’s needs through consistent care plans.
Please take a moment and watch Jacob’s care journey with Leaf Complex Care.
We deliver our services across the UK, with offices in Bristol, Somerset, the Midlands and South East.
Contact us today if you or your loved one require person-centred care.
