What Is Person-Centred Care Planning?
Person-centred care planning is an approach in healthcare that places an individual’s preferences, needs, and aspirations at the core of the planning process. This method requires thorough planning and a detailed risk assessment. It is crucial to actively engage the individual throughout the planning phase, valuing their opinions and inputs when making decisions. Collaborating with the individual’s support network and other care professionals is crucial for achieving person-centred care planning.
An open and empathetic conversation is essential to initiate a person-centred care plan. This discussion ultimately explores the most suitable care strategies and treatment options. Therefore, effective communication is the cornerstone of person-centred care, leading to shared decision-making and increased individual satisfaction.
Placing individuals at the centre of their care planning provides various benefits, such as timely access to care and increased self-involvement. Additionally, this approach encourages collaboration, as family and friends can contribute to key elements of the care plan, ensuring that a range of perspectives is considered. Person-centred care planning also allows for dynamic adjustments to the care plan when required. This tailored and inclusive approach promotes autonomy and cooperation, ultimately leading to more efficient services and improved care quality, which is reflected in an individual’s outcomes, goals, and milestones.
Person-Centred Care Values
The values of person-centred care are fundamental principles that guide healthcare professionals to administer comprehensive and personalised support that empowers individuals on their path to well-being. Among these values are:
Respecting individuality: Individuals possess unique personal values, beliefs, boundaries, and viewpoints. Recognising the importance of these aspects involves respecting and integrating them into the care plan.
Understanding experiences and goals: Crafting effective long-term care means understanding an individual’s life history, well-being, and future aspirations. This knowledge helps in creating tailored care plans that resonate with an individual’s present and future goals.
Empowering responsibility and independence: Encouraging individuals to participate in everyday activities independently fosters skill development and self-assurance to provide support throughout their recovery journey.
Coordinated care: Harmonious collaboration among healthcare professionals is vital for people undergoing care, which can be facilitated through proactive treatment and communication.
Privacy and dignity: Preserving an individual’s right to control their personal information and providing discreet support in personal tasks, such as toileting, bathing, and communication, upholds their dignity.
Informed choice: Helping individuals make informed decisions is a critical element of care underlined by the Mental Capacity Act (2005). Healthcare professionals must provide accurate and relevant information to facilitate independent, well-informed choices.
Respect for dignity: Acting with compassion and empathy demonstrates respect for an individual’s dignity, safeguarding their privacy, self-worth, and integrity.
Value and consideration: Genuine consideration of opinions and embracing diversity paves the way for inclusivity and makes people feel valued.
Upholding human rights: Ensuring the legal rights of individuals promotes their well-being, prevents stigmatisation, and fosters a nurturing environment.
Person-Centred Care Planning Process
The person-centred care planning process centres on active involvement and collaboration. The care plan reflects unique needs and preferences by placing the individual at the centre of the planning process. This approach empowers individuals to actively participate in shaping the care they receive. Consequently, this active engagement transforms the care plan from a simple document into a dynamic tool that fosters ongoing communication between the individual and their care providers.
The individual’s sense of ownership develops a commitment to the plan, enabling a higher engagement level in their care journey. This collaborative and person-centred planning process improves the person’s overall experience. It contributes to improved responsiveness to evolving needs, increased satisfaction, and shared responsibility between the individual and the care service.
Progressive Language
Progressive language refers to inclusive and respectful communication practices prioritising an individual’s dignity, autonomy, and well-being. It aims to eliminate discriminatory or stigmatising language associated with specific conditions or mental health challenges. Recognising that the words and expressions in healthcare settings influence individuals’ experiences, mental well-being, and overall quality of care, progressive language is a powerful tool for promoting positive healthcare interactions.
At its core, progressive language promotes inclusivity and emphasises the importance of addressing people as individuals rather than defining them by their health challenges. Through this approach, progressive language empowers individuals by honouring their preferences and choices, fostering open and honest communication that places individuals at the forefront of their healthcare decisions.
Healthcare professionals must acknowledge and respect the diverse backgrounds of the individuals they support. Additionally, healthcare providers should ensure that their communication is accessible to all, whether through offering alternative formats or providing assistance when necessary. Avoiding professional jargon or abbreviations, which may be unfamiliar to individuals, is crucial. Instead, the focus should be on integrating the terminology and interpretations that individuals understand, thereby establishing a direct connection to their unique communication style and perspective.
At Nurseline Community Services, we are committed to promoting cultural competence, diversity, and inclusion, and emphasise the importance of effective communication and the use of progressive language in healthcare.
Communicating With a Person, not a Patient
Effective communication is at the heart of building a meaningful and impactful relationship between the individual and the healthcare professional. The quality of this relationship is vital, as it is based on empathy, reliability, and respect. To establish such a relationship, strong communication skills and a compassionate approach are essential. Individuals with limited communication skills may often underestimate their capacity to communicate their feelings and desires. However, understanding can be achieved through interpreting non-verbal cues, such as gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language, or by using assistive technology. This process requires health and social care professionals to observe responses attentively over time, allowing for more accurate comprehension of needs.
Various strategies contribute to effective communication in this context. It is essential to actively listen, encourage the individual to share their story at their own pace and research their preferences and values. Presenting information in accessible formats, such as preferred language, braille, or pictures, helps ensure that information is understood. If necessary, involving translators or individuals familiar with the person’s communication style enhances understanding. Meeting sensory needs, addressing the use of hearing aids, glasses, or sign language, and incorporating support from other family members or friends can further facilitate communication.
Strength-Based Approach
Incorporating a strength-based approach empowers the individual and their carers to increase their active engagement in the care planning process. By emphasising the person’s capabilities, this approach enables them to envision how their strengths can be harnessed to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
While there might be situations where certain care preferences cannot be fulfilled, it’s essential to consider these instances as exceptions rather than the norm. When a person’s care preferences or desires cannot be accommodated, the strength-based approach involves transparent communication and collaborative decision-making. The process begins by clearly explaining the reasons behind the limitations to fulfil a particular preference. Engaging in open discussions, the care team and the individual work together to identify the next best alternative that aligns as closely as possible with the person’s wishes. By upholding this principle, individuals maintain a sense of ownership over their care, ensuring their involvement remains at the forefront even when certain preferences cannot be met.
Using Goals, Hobbies, and Interests
In the person-centred care planning process, incorporating an individual’s goals, hobbies, and interests is essential. By utilising goals, aims, and outcomes, care planning aligns with the core principles of putting an individual’s preferences and aspirations at the forefront. While care providers can offer suggestions and examples, it’s imperative to dismiss any aims the person considers significant, as it’s their life journey. Collaborative person-centred care plans can be customised to individual passions, goals and preferences, promoting independence and enhancing overall quality of life.
Involvement in Community
Active involvement of community members who form an integral part of an individual’s life holds immense significance during the person-centred care planning process. Engaging the support network brings together a comprehensive understanding of their specific needs, preferences, and circumstances, enabling the customisation of care and support. This comprehensive approach enhances the individual’s experience and nurtures their overall well-being.
It is essential to equip clinicians with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance community involvement throughout all care and support planning stages. Proactive communication occurs at various stages, including the initial development of care plans, risk management and safeguarding processes, and through consistent feedback that captures the individuals’ experiences with the care. A tailored and personalised plan, in this way, empowers individuals to contribute and be more actively engaged in the community.
What Is Included in a Person-Centred Care Plan?
A person-centred care plan is a flexible and individualised document tailored to each person’s unique needs and preferences. While no care plan is the same, certain key elements can guide the development of care plans, ensuring proactive care is maintained.
Each care plan should include essential components, including personal details, and a comprehensive discussion around well-being goals, aspirations, and support needs. Furthermore, self-care strategies, support mechanisms, and relevant medical information like test results, diagnoses, medication details, and clinical notes should be included. The care plan should outline agreed-upon actions and provide a review date to facilitate ongoing adjustments.
A personalised care plan reflects the outcomes of collaborative discussions between an individual and their healthcare professional. The most critical aspect of this process lies in the initial conversation, which helps establish an understanding of the person’s requirements and preferences. While utilising care planning templates can be efficient, they should serve as starting points rather than final documents. A person-centred approach requires adapting these templates to reflect each individual’s unique goals and priorities. To achieve this, the active involvement of everyone engaged in the care process is essential. Mutual expectations should be articulated and reviewed regularly from the person receiving care to their caregivers, families, and healthcare providers. Privacy should also be respected, carefully assessing preferences for sharing information.
Get Person-centred Care with Nurseline Community Services
Nurseline Community Services provides person-centred care, prioritising the well-being and individual preferences of the people we serve.
Our vision is to create a compassionate and supportive environment that empowers individuals to lead fulfilling lives while receiving the highest quality care. Healthcare professionals are committed to ensuring the individuals they care for receive the maximum support and dignity throughout their care journey.
With multiple locations in Bristol, Birmingham, and Gloucester, we are dedicated to delivering our person-centred approach across the UK, ensuring that each person’s unique needs and aspirations are at the forefront of their care journey.
We invite you to contact us to learn more about how Nurseline Community Services implements and maintains person-centred care planning.
