What is Person-Centred Care?

Person-centred care is an approach used in health and social care to focus on the individual receiving the care. It ensures the person’s values, preferences, needs, and personal goals are respected. This practice puts the individual in control of their own care, making them an active participant rather than a passive recipient. It views people as unique individuals rather than just patients, clients, or service users within a system.

Key principles of person-centred care include treating individuals with dignity and respect, listening to their concerns, providing them with choices, and supporting them in decisions about their care. This approach helps build trust and strengthens relationships between care providers and those they support.

The goal of person-centred care is to improve life quality for the individuals it serves, ensuring they feel heard, understood, and valued.

The Core Principles of Person-Centred Care

Person-centred care follows several essential principles. These principles are designed to place the individual at the heart of their own care process. They include:

• Respect for individuality – Every person is unique. Their personal preferences, beliefs, and values should be acknowledged and upheld.
• Involving the individual – The individual should have an active role in making decisions about their care. This might include choosing treatment options or deciding on their daily routine.
• Giving personalised care – Care plans should be tailored to meet the specific needs of each person. One-size-fits-all approaches do not align with person-centred care.
• Promoting dignity and compassion – Every individual deserves to be treated with kindness, patience, and understanding.
• Supporting independence – Empower individuals to do as much for themselves as they can, rather than taking over their tasks.
• Encouraging open communication – Listening carefully to what matters to the person is key. Building trust often starts with simple, meaningful conversations.

These principles guide carers to recognise individuals for who they are, not just for their medical symptoms or care needs.

Why Person-Centred Care Matters

Providing person-centred care benefits everyone involved. For the individual receiving care, it leads to better overall satisfaction and a sense of well-being. Feeling heard and involved in decisions can reduce anxiety and make treatment or daily routines more effective.

For carers and health professionals, adopting a person-centred perspective can improve relationships with those they’re supporting. A solid, trusting relationship often fosters greater cooperation when delivering care.

In a larger sense, using person-centred care helps create an inclusive health and social care environment. It ensures everyone has the opportunity to voice their preferences, regardless of their condition, age, or background.

How Person-Centred Care is Applied

There are several ways to deliver person-centred care in practice:

1. Involving individuals in decision-making
   Always provide clear, accessible information about treatment or care options. For example, a care worker might explain the available choices to someone with limited mobility and ask which option fits their preferences.
2. Personalised care plans
   These plans are developed together with the person. They outline what matters most to them, including specific health or lifestyle goals. For instance, managing symptoms in a way that allows someone to attend their grandchild’s sports day might become a priority.
3. Regular feedback and review
   Care should adapt over time as the individual’s needs or preferences change. Regular discussions can reveal whether adjustments are required.
4. Training care professionals
   Staff should be trained to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and recognise the importance of treating the individual holistically. For example, understanding someone’s cultural or religious background can inform better care practices.
5. Listening and observing
   Some people, such as those with dementia, might find communication difficult. Paying attention to body language, tones of voice, and behaviours can help understand what they want or feel.

Challenges in Delivering Person-Centred Care

Despite its benefits, providing person-centred care can be challenging in some environments. Limited resources, time pressures, and staff shortages may make it harder to adopt this approach consistently. For example, in a busy hospital ward, it might not always be possible to have in-depth conversations with each patient about their preferences.

Additionally, not all individuals receiving care feel comfortable expressing their needs, especially if they worry about being a burden. Some may need encouragement or reassurance to open up about their true feelings or concerns.

For individuals with communication barriers – such as those with learning disabilities or who speak different languages – care providers may need extra tools and support to fully understand their preferences.

Examples of Person-Centred Care

Seeing person-centred care in action often helps clarify what it means. Here are some examples:

• Care for people with dementia – Staff might ask families about a person’s past hobbies or career to better understand their likes, dislikes, and routines. This knowledge allows the carer to relate personally or introduce activities that bring comfort or joy.
• Decisions during end-of-life care – For those receiving palliative care, person-centred care might include discussing where the individual would like to spend their remaining time, such as at home with loved ones.
• Individual meal preferences – In a residential care setting, individuals should have the freedom to choose foods they enjoy. This simple act respects personal tastes and maintains dignity.
• Supporting autonomy – For someone recovering after surgery, allowing them to decide whether they’d like to get out of bed for a walk in the morning or the afternoon provides a sense of control.

The Role of Communication in Person-Centred Care

Effective communication is critical in delivering person-centred care. It involves listening to what the person is saying and observing non-verbal cues. Carers can ask open-ended questions to explore an individual’s personal preferences or feelings. For example, asking “What’s something you enjoy doing in your free time?” can help identify activities that might be meaningful during their care.

For carers, responding in a way that shows genuine understanding and care builds rapport. Simple gestures, such as maintaining eye contact or using a friendly tone of voice, can show respect and kindness.

Knowing Your Rights in Person-Centred Care

Everyone receiving care in the UK has the right to be treated according to person-centred care principles. The Care Act 2014 reinforces the importance of choice, control, and participation in care decisions. Health and social care staff must respect these rights and involve individuals at every stage of their care planning.

If someone feels their care is not reflecting these principles, they have the right to request changes or raise concerns through official complaints procedures.

The Importance of Empowering Individuals

Person-centred care is about helping people maintain as much ownership of their lives as possible. For instance, encouraging someone to manage parts of their daily routine – like dressing or grooming – can boost their confidence and emotional well-being. Giving individuals choices, even in small matters such as what to wear or what to eat, allows them to feel respected and involved.

Family Involvement in Person-Centred Care

Families often play an important role in person-centred care, especially when supporting individuals who cannot fully communicate their own needs or preferences. Engaging family members can provide valuable insights into the person’s history, interests, and likes.

For example, if someone with a disability expresses a preference for a particular routine but cannot elaborate further, family members may help carers understand why that routine is valuable to them.

However, it is equally essential to respect the individual’s wishes if they prefer limited family involvement. Their personal autonomy always comes first.

The Broader Impact of Person-Centred Care

The person-centred approach does more than improve individual experiences of care; it helps raise standards across the entire health and social care system. By continuously respecting human rights, promoting dignity, and listening to voices that matter, this model reinforces the values of fairness and equality.

When carers commit to providing person-centred care, they also create stronger relationships between health services and those who use them. This ensures that services don’t lose sight of their ultimate purpose – improving the well-being of individuals.

Why Person-Centred Care Matters

Person-centred care focuses on treating each person as an individual rather than just another care recipient. It values their preferences, opinions, and personal circumstances to offer tailored support that respects their dignity.

This approach gives people control over their care, strengthens relationships between carers and individuals, and contributes to a fair and inclusive environment. At its core, person-centred care is about listening, understanding, and valuing every individual, ensuring they feel supported and respected throughout their care experience.

By adopting these principles, health and social care providers create meaningful experiences and improve outcomes for everyone involved.