3.2 Describe ways of using a person-centred approach to support older people to maintain health and wellbeing in day to day life

This guide will help you answer 3.2 Describe ways of using a person-centred approach to support older people to maintain health and wellbeing in day to day life.

A person-centred approach means working in a way that focuses on the older person’s own needs, wishes, preferences, and goals. It respects them as an individual with rights, choices, and unique life experiences. It avoids making assumptions and gives them control wherever possible.

In practice, this approach is about listening carefully, involving the person in every decision, and adapting support to suit their specific circumstances. It helps older people maintain their physical health, mental wellbeing, independence, and dignity in everyday life.

Understanding the Person

To use a person-centred approach, it is necessary to learn as much as possible about the individual’s preferences and history. This could include:

• Daily routines that matter to them
• Foods they enjoy and any dietary needs
• Interests, hobbies, and social activities
• Religious or cultural practices
• Communication preferences
• Family and friendship networks

Workers can gather this information through conversations, life story work, observation, and working closely with family or carers. The more we know, the better we can adapt care and support to suit their life.

Taking time to understand the person creates trust. It helps the worker encourage the older person to take part in activities that matter to them, which supports health and wellbeing.

Promoting Choice and Control

Older people can lose confidence if they feel decisions are made for them. Giving them choice in day-to-day matters helps build self-esteem and reduces feelings of dependency. This could involve asking them how they want to spend their day, what clothes they want to wear, or what meals they prefer.

Practical examples:

• Offering different meal options and letting them decide
• Giving choice about which activities they take part in
• Asking if they want to go outside or stay indoors
• Giving control over the timing of personal care support

Supporting decision-making encourages independence and makes the person feel valued.

Encouraging Physical Activity

Physical health is directly linked to wellbeing. Even small amounts of daily movement can improve mobility, circulation, mood, and energy levels. In a person-centred approach, the type and level of activity will match the older person’s abilities and preferences.

Examples include:

• Walking in the garden or local area
• Gentle chair exercises
• Dancing to favourite music
• Stretching routines
• Taking part in group exercise classes

Workers should encourage activities the person enjoys and is able to do safely. This helps maintain muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and reduces the risk of falls.

Supporting Healthy Eating

Nutrition is a key part of health and wellbeing. Older people may face difficulties such as reduced appetite, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or managing medical diets. A person-centred approach will respect their food preferences and adapt meals to meet their individual needs.

Ways to support healthy eating:

• Talking with them about favourite meals and snacks
• Giving visually appealing meals
• Offering smaller portions more often
• Supporting hydration by encouraging drinks during the day
• Involving them in meal preparation if they wish

Maintaining a balanced diet and hydration supports energy levels, immunity, cognitive function, and general comfort.

Maintaining Social Connections

Loneliness can harm health and wellbeing. A person-centred approach helps older people maintain contact with family, friends, and community groups. This can involve organising visits, phone calls, or online communication if they are comfortable with it.

Social engagement could include:

• Group activities within residential settings
• Attending community events
• Religious or faith gatherings
• Club memberships and hobby groups
• Visiting neighbours and friends

Giving the person choice about who they spend time with and what social activities they join helps them stay emotionally healthy.

Supporting Emotional Wellbeing

Mental health is as important as physical health. A person-centred approach means offering emotional support based on the individual’s preferences and coping strategies.

Practical steps:

• Listening without judgement
• Offering space for them to share worries or memories
• Encouraging activities that bring joy
• Respecting times when they need quiet or privacy
• Helping them access counselling or support groups if they wish

Supporting emotional wellbeing reduces risk of depression and anxiety, and helps maintain a positive outlook.

Respecting Cultural and Religious Needs

Older people may have cultural or religious practices that are central to their wellbeing. Respecting these is part of good care. Workers should learn about these needs and integrate them into daily support.

Examples:

• Providing meals that fit religious dietary rules
• Allowing time for prayer or spiritual activities
• Recognising and celebrating important cultural dates
• Supporting attendance at places of worship

This respect creates a sense of belonging and reinforces dignity.

Supporting Personal Care with Dignity

Personal care can be sensitive. A person-centred approach means delivering support in a way that preserves privacy, comfort, and dignity.

Ways to do this:

• Asking for consent before starting any care activity
• Giving the person choice about who provides their care
• Working at their pace
• Maintaining privacy through screens or closed doors
• Being respectful and reassuring throughout

This approach helps older people feel safe and respected, reducing anxiety around care routines.

Adapting Support as Needs Change

As people age, needs may change through illness, disability, or recovery from injury. A person-centred approach involves reviewing and adapting care to match new circumstances without removing independence unnecessarily.

Adaptations can include:

• Introducing mobility aids
• Adjusting daily routines
• Offering extra support for personal care
• Changing meal plans if appetite changes
• Increasing or reducing activity levels based on health

Regular communication ensures changes are agreed with the older person and reflect their wishes.

Working with the Person’s Support Network

Family, friends, and carers often play a significant role. A person-centred approach values their input and works with them to support the older person’s health and wellbeing.

This may involve:

• Sharing relevant information with consent
• Encouraging them to join activities
• Listening to their observations about the person’s needs
• Including them in care planning meetings

This teamwork helps create consistent support based on what matters to the older person.

Personalised Care Plans

A care plan records the person’s needs, preferences, and goals. In a person-centred approach, the plan is developed with the older person’s input. It should be clear, realistic, and reflect the individual’s lifestyle and health requirements.

Effective care plans:

• Include physical, mental, social, and cultural needs
• Identify strengths and abilities, not only challenges
• Set achievable goals
• Review regularly with the person’s involvement

This ensures support remains relevant and empowering.

Supporting Independence in Daily Activities

Independence encourages self-worth and confidence. A person-centred approach supports older people to carry out daily activities as much as possible for themselves, while offering help where needed.

Examples:

• Assisting with cooking rather than doing it fully for them
• Encouraging them to dress themselves with minimal help
• Supporting them to manage their own medication if safe
• Helping them organise their own social calendar

This balance allows them to feel capable and involved in their own life.

Encouraging Meaningful Activities

Activities should be meaningful for the person, not just offered for convenience. Meaningful activities reflect the person’s interests and past experiences.

Examples:

• Gardening for someone who has always loved plants
• Playing music or singing if they enjoyed these before
• Reading together or supporting access to books
• Arts and crafts related to their hobbies
• Volunteering or contributing skills to community projects

These activities bring purpose, which supports emotional and mental wellbeing.

Communication and Listening

Communication is central to a person-centred approach. Workers should use the method that best suits the older person, which may involve speech, gestures, hearing aids, or written notes.

Key points:

• Listen actively and show respect for what they say
• Adapt communication style to their needs
• Avoid rushing or interrupting
• Check understanding by repeating or clarifying
• Maintain eye contact where comfortable

Good communication builds trust and helps the person feel included in their own care.

Supporting Self-Management of Health

Self-management means enabling older people to take responsibility for aspects of their health. This can help them feel in control and improve adherence to treatments.

Ways to support self-management:

• Helping them monitor blood pressure or blood sugar
• Encouraging them to keep a record of medications
• Involving them in setting health goals
• Giving clear information about treatment plans

It shows respect for their abilities and keeps them engaged in maintaining their health.

Managing Risk Positively

Risk is part of life. In a person-centred approach, risks are managed in a way that allows older people to continue valued activities. For example, an older person may wish to walk outside alone. Supporting them might mean providing a walking aid or suggesting a safe route.

Positive risk management involves:

• Assessing the risk with the person
• Talking about possible outcomes
• Finding ways to minimise risk without removing all choice
• Respecting their decision if they understand the risk

This approach focuses on enabling rather than restricting.

Final Thoughts

A person-centred approach is about recognising an older person as an individual with their own life, values, and choices. It means involving them in every step, listening carefully, and adapting support according to what matters most to them. This approach strengthens physical health, mental wellbeing, and independence.

When applied consistently, it promotes dignity, respect, and positive relationships between workers and the older person. It is the foundation for high-quality care that meets the needs of the whole person in their day-to-day life.