Why Does Person-Centred Care Matter?

Photo of an elderly woman in an armchair laughing with a nurse who is crouched by her side

When someone moves into a care home, families may worry that their loved one will become just another resident. They may wonder whether staff will take the time to understand their personality, preferences and routines, or whether everyone will simply receive the same care.

Good care isn’t just about making sure someone is washed, dressed, fed, and given their medication. It is about understanding who the person is and adapting their care around them. Person-centred care recognises that every resident has different needs, preferences, experiences and routines.

Every resident is different. What works well for one person may not be suitable for another, which is why personalised care plans are such an important part of residential care.

What Is Person-Centred Care?

Person-centred care means putting the individual at the centre of decisions about their care and daily life. Rather than providing the same routine to every resident, staff consider what makes each person comfortable, independent and happy.

What works well for one resident may not be suitable for another. Person-centred care recognises these differences and gives residents as much choice and control over their daily lives as possible.

This can include respecting their:

  • Daily routines.
  • Food preferences.
  • Hobbies and interests.
  • Personal beliefs.
  • Communication preferences.
  • Relationships.
  • Privacy.
  • Independence.
  • Personal choices.

What Is a Personalised Care Plan?

Person-centred care is the approach used to provide individualised support, while a personalised care plan records what that support should look like in practice. This will include the support a resident needs, along with important information about their preferences, routines, and life outside their care needs.

It will usually include information about their health and care requirements, such as mobility, medication, personal care, and nutritional needs. However, a good care plan should go beyond medical information.

It can also include details about:

  • Their previous lifestyle and career.
  • Their family and important relationships.
  • Favourite foods and drinks.
  • Hobbies and interests.
  • Preferred daily routines.
  • Their sleeping habits.
  • What makes them feel comfortable.
  • How they prefer to communicate.
  • Things that may cause them anxiety or distress.

This information helps staff understand the person behind their care requirements.

A care plan should not be considered a permanent document. People’s health, abilities and preferences can change over time, so care plans should be reviewed regularly and updated whenever their needs or circumstances change.

Why Does Person-Centred Care Matter?

One of the main purposes of person-centred care is to protect a resident’s dignity. This means assisting respectfully and privately, explaining what is happening, listening to their preferences and offering choices wherever possible. Needing help with personal care can be difficult, particularly for someone who has previously been very independent. Even if a choice may seem small, it can help residents maintain control over aspects of their everyday lives.

Honouring someone’s preferences and interests can create a sense of familiarity, which can make a significant difference during the transition into care. Familiarity can provide comfort and help a resident feel that their previous life has not simply been left behind. This could be as simple as:

  • Listening to favourite music.
  • Continuing a regular bedtime routine.
  • Having family photographs in their room.
  • Continuing favourite hobbies.
  • Eating familiar meals.
  • Taking part in activities they have always enjoyed.

Residents should be encouraged to continue doing the things they can safely manage for themselves. This might be choosing what to wear, deciding which activity they want to attend, or making choices about their meals. Supporting independence does not mean expecting someone to manage without help. Instead, it means providing the right amount of assistance without automatically taking over.

Getting to know a resident as an individual will make everyday interactions more personal. Building meaningful relationships between staff and residents can make everyday care feel more personal and help residents feel comfortable with the people supporting them. These preferences may not be directly related to someone’s medical needs, but they can have an important effect on their overall wellbeing.

How Does Person-Centred Care Help Someone With Dementia?

Photo of a man holding a cane looking at a nurse who is holding an open book and appears to be speaking. In front of them is a table upon which are sat two glasses of orange juice and a book.

Person-centred care can be particularly important for residents living with dementia. Dementia can affect memory, communication, behaviour, decision-making and independence. As the condition progresses, a person may struggle to explain what they need or why they are distressed. Knowing their history and usual routines can help staff understand these changes.

Understanding the person can help staff look beyond the behaviour and consider what might be causing the distress. For example, someone with dementia may become particularly unsettled in the evening. Perhaps they usually went to bed early, became tired at this time of day, or preferred a quieter environment.

Person-centred dementia care can also involve adapting communication. If a resident finds longer conversations difficult to follow, staff may use shorter sentences, ask one question at a time, and give them more time to respond. If they become overwhelmed in busy environments, providing somewhere quieter may help them feel more comfortable.

The aim is to adapt the care around the individual rather than expecting them to adapt to a standard routine.

How Do Care Plans Change Over Time?

A resident’s care needs can change significantly over the time they live in a care home. This is why care plans should be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary. They may experience reduced mobility, increased frailty, changes in their dementia, new health conditions, or a greater need for assistance with personal care. Changes in mood, communication or behaviour may also indicate that their support needs to be reconsidered.

It is not only health needs that can change. Preferences and routines can change as well.

A care plan created when someone first moves into a care home should not be expected to remain exactly the same for the rest of their stay. Regular reviews help ensure that the care they receive continues to reflect who they are and what they need.

Person-Centred Care at Mulberry

At Mulberry, we believe that effective care starts with understanding the individual. Every resident has their own history, personality, preferences and care requirements. Personalised care allows these differences to remain part of everyday life, rather than expecting everyone to follow the same routine.

From daily care and meals to activities and social interaction, understanding what makes each resident comfortable and happy helps our teams provide a more individual approach. As care needs change, care plans can also be reviewed and adapted to ensure residents continue receiving appropriate support.

When choosing a care home for a loved one, consider more than the facilities and level of care available. Ask how the home gets to know its residents, how often care plans are reviewed, and how families are involved. The right care home should provide the support your loved one needs while continuing to make them feel valued, respected, and at home.