The Foundational Principles of Person-Centred Care
The person-centred approach, developed by psychologist Tom Kitwood, shifts care from a task-oriented model to one focused on relationships and the individual's intrinsic worth, feelings, and identity [1]. Key principles involve recognizing personhood, understanding the individual's perspective, fostering meaningful relationships, creating a supportive environment, and promoting empowerment and engagement [1].
Practical Implementation in Daily Care
Implementing this approach involves understanding the individual's life story, preferences, and needs [1]. This can include creating a life story book, personalizing music playlists, and tailoring activities to past interests [1]. Empathetic communication is also crucial, validating feelings and using positive body language, while offering simple choices to maintain autonomy [1].
The Benefits of a Person-Centred Approach
Adopting person-centred care leads to improved quality of life, reduced behavioral challenges by addressing unmet needs, stronger caregiver relationships, potentially less reliance on medication, and greater family satisfaction [1].
Person-Centred vs. Traditional Dementia Care: A Comparison
| Feature | Traditional Care Model | Person-Centred Care Model |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Primarily on the diagnosis, symptoms, and deficits. | On the whole person, including their identity, history, and preferences. |
| Routine | Task-oriented, rigid schedules based on staff convenience. | Flexible and adaptable, tailored to the person's daily needs and mood. |
| Communication | Often direct correction or ignoring 'confused' statements. | Validating feelings and understanding the perspective behind the words. |
| Activities | Standardized, group-based activities for everyone. | Personalized, meaningful activities based on individual interests. |
| Environment | Institutional, often uniform and clinical. | Homelike, with personal mementos and a soothing atmosphere. |
| Behavior | Viewed as problematic symptoms to be managed. | Seen as communication, with the caregiver seeking the underlying cause. |
Overcoming Challenges in Adopting the Approach
Challenges include time and resource constraints, and the need for continuous training and cultural shifts in institutions [1]. Education on communication and life story work, management support, and family collaboration are vital for successful implementation [1].
For further reading on the historical context and empirical evidence supporting this approach, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers numerous research articles and systematic reviews on the effectiveness of person-centred interventions for individuals with dementia.
Conclusion: A More Humane Path Forward
The person-centred approach offers a more dignified and empathetic way to care for individuals with dementia by focusing on their humanity and unique story [1]. This approach enriches the lives of those with dementia and strengthens the bonds with their caregivers [1].
