What is Person-Centred Care?

Person-centred care is not defined in a single way. It refers to the clinical decisions that are based on a patient’s needs, preferences, values, and lifestyle.

Individuals are treated as equal partners in the planning, development and monitoring of their own care. This results in an approach that is respectful and responsive to their needs. You go beyond simply sharing your decisions about the care of individuals, and work with them to create a solution that is personalised. Person-centred care is holistic, and it avoids paternalism because it considers the entire person. For information about Care Assistant Jobs Cork, visit https://www.caremark.ie/job-opportunities/care-assistant-jobs-cork

Person-centred care is not a single path, as it differs from person to person and the preferences or needs of an individual may change with time. It is a constantly evolving field that depends solely on the needs and circumstances of each individual receiving care.

In greater detail, person-centred examples within a health care and social care setting can vary depending on a person’s capacity and condition. It is important, as a rule, to practice all four principles. Examples include, but are not restricted to:

  • Making decisions together with the person, having those conversations, making sure the information needed to make the decision is readily available, and reaching an agreement on the result, as opposed to deciding separately, would be better.
  • People can be empowered to do everyday tasks without assistance, choose what they want to eat for breakfast and dinner, and adjust their morning and evening times according to their preferences.
  • Assuring that individuals are physically and emotionally safe and comfortable, including friends and family when necessary and ensuring communication between all parties is clear.
Gabriel Hiott

Gabriel Hiott