Person-Centered Care in Aging Support: What are some examples of person-centered care in an aging support setting?

According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, person-centered care can significantly improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. We explore what are some examples of person-centered care in an aging support setting? to understand how focusing on the individual’s choices and dignity can reshape senior support.

Quick Summary

Person-centered care involves tailoring daily routines to individual preferences, incorporating personal life stories and memories into interactions, and promoting choice and independence. Examples include customized meal plans, flexible sleep schedules, and involving families in collaborative care decisions for a more dignified aging experience.

Key Points

• Personalized Routines: Seniors have a say in their daily schedule, including flexible wake-up times, meal choices, and activities, rather than following a rigid institutional plan.

• Honoring Life Stories: Care incorporates an individual's life history, memories, and personal preferences to create a familiar and meaningful environment, especially important in memory care.

• Empowering Independence: The focus is on assisting seniors to perform tasks themselves ('doing with'), rather than doing everything for them, which boosts confidence and preserves dignity.

• Holistic Well-being: Care goes beyond physical needs to address emotional, social, and mental health through tailored support, social activities, and personalized therapy.

• Collaborative Decisions: Seniors and their families are actively involved in creating and adjusting the care plan, ensuring it aligns with their values and goals.

• Adaptable Environment: Care settings are designed to feel home-like, with personalized spaces and routines that promote comfort and reduce stress.

• Relationship-Based Model: Caregivers build meaningful connections with seniors, focusing on respectful communication and understanding the person behind the diagnosis.

The Philosophy Behind Person-Centered Care

Traditional models of aged care often prioritize institutional efficiency over individual needs. Person-centered care represents a paradigm shift, moving away from a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. At its core, this philosophy holds that every individual, regardless of their age or health condition, deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and autonomy. It recognizes that a person is more than their diagnosis; they are a whole being with unique life experiences, values, and preferences.

The Shift from Task-Oriented to Relationship-Based Care

Instead of a rigid schedule dictated by institutional convenience, person-centered care is flexible and adapts to the individual's rhythm. This fosters a relationship-based model where caregivers focus on connecting with the person, rather than just completing a checklist of tasks. This focus on connection helps to reduce feelings of helplessness and boredom, which are common in institutional settings.

Practical Examples in Daily Routines

Personalized Daily Routines

In an aging support setting, one of the most visible examples of person-centered care is the customization of a senior's daily schedule. Instead of a fixed wake-up time, meal schedule, or bath time for everyone, a person-centered approach respects the individual's preferences. A senior who has always been a 'night owl' can sleep later, while an 'early bird' can start their day at dawn.

• Flexible Sleep Schedules: Allowing residents to set their own wake-up and bedtime, rather than adhering to a strict institutional schedule.
• Customized Meal Choices: Offering multiple meal options and respecting food preferences, cultural dietary needs, and mealtime rituals. This could include a senior who prefers to eat breakfast later or have specific snacks throughout the day.
• Leisure Activities: Tailoring daily activities to individual interests, whether it's gardening, listening to classical music, or engaging in a specific hobby like painting or knitting.

Honoring Life Stories and Preferences

A person's life history is a crucial part of their identity. Person-centered care seeks to understand and incorporate these life stories into daily care. This is particularly important in memory care settings, where connecting with a person's past can create moments of joy and comfort.

• Personalized Spaces: Encouraging residents to decorate their rooms with personal mementos, cherished photographs, and familiar furniture to create a sense of home.
• Incorporating Hobbies: A caregiver might engage a former musician by listening to their favorite songs together or a retired carpenter by giving them simple woodworking tasks.
• Reminiscence Therapy: Using a person's life story to guide conversations and activities, helping to validate their experiences and preserve their identity.

Empowering Choice and Independence

Person-centered care actively promotes independence by encouraging seniors to participate in their own daily tasks as much as possible. This shifts the focus from 'doing for' the senior to 'doing with' them, which boosts confidence and self-esteem.

• Encouraging Self-Sufficiency: A caregiver might assist a senior with dressing but encourage them to button their own shirt or choose their outfit for the day.
• Involving in Household Tasks: Allowing residents to contribute to simple household chores they enjoy, such as setting the table or folding laundry.
• Supporting Hobbies: Providing the necessary tools and support for a resident to continue their favorite hobbies, like having a raised garden bed for a keen gardener.

Collaborative Care Planning

At the heart of person-centered care is the collaborative process of creating a care plan. This is not a document created for the senior, but one developed with them and their loved ones. It ensures that the care aligns with what matters most to the individual.

1. Active Listening: The care team, senior, and family members engage in open, respectful conversation to understand the person's goals and concerns.
2. Shared Decision-Making: All parties discuss and agree upon care options, ensuring the senior has a voice in all clinical decisions.
3. Regular Review: The care plan is reviewed and updated regularly to adapt to changing needs and preferences, such as a shift in priority from aggressive treatment to comfort.
4. Involving Family: The care team acknowledges the important role family and loved ones play and includes them in discussions and care routines, with the senior's permission.

Person-Centered vs. Traditional Care: A Comparison

Feature	Person-Centered Approach	Traditional Approach
Focus	Individual needs, preferences, and desires	Institutional rules and convenience
Schedule	Flexible and personalized	Rigid and task-oriented
Decision-Making	Collaborative, including the senior and family	Typically made by staff or medical professionals
Resident's Role	Active participant in their care and life	Passive recipient of care
Goals	Maximize autonomy, dignity, and quality of life	Maximize efficiency and safety
Environment	Home-like, comfortable, and personalized	Clinical, uniform, and institutional
Communication	Open, respectful dialogue	One-way instruction

Focusing on Emotional and Social Well-being

Beyond physical health, person-centered care addresses the emotional and social needs that are critical to overall well-being. By considering the whole person, caregivers can address stress, anxiety, and loneliness more effectively.

• Emotional Support: Validating a senior's feelings and providing comfort and reassurance during difficult moments. This helps to build trust and security.
• Social Connections: Encouraging interaction with peers, family, and community members. This can include small group activities based on common interests or facilitating virtual visits.
• Reducing Stress Triggers: Minimizing factors that cause anxiety, such as loud noises, abrupt changes in routine, or overwhelming crowds, especially for those with cognitive decline.

To learn more about the positive impact of this model, explore research on the benefits of person-centered care, such as the systematic review published by the NCBI: Effects of person-centered care.

Conclusion

What are some examples of person-centered care in an aging support setting? The examples are as diverse as the individuals themselves. From respecting personal preferences in daily routines to empowering choices and fostering emotional well-being, the core principle is to see and honor the whole person. This approach transforms caregiving from a series of tasks into a meaningful partnership, ultimately leading to a higher quality of life for seniors. By championing this model, we can ensure that aging with dignity, respect, and individuality remains the standard, not the exception.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between person-centered and task-oriented care?

The primary difference is the focus. Task-oriented care centers on completing a list of necessary medical and daily tasks efficiently. Person-centered care, in contrast, prioritizes the individual's needs, preferences, and feelings, adjusting tasks around their schedule and desires.

How does person-centered care benefit seniors with dementia?

For seniors with dementia, person-centered care is particularly beneficial. It reduces agitation by providing personalized, predictable routines and honors their life history, which can create moments of connection and joy. Examples include using personalized music or photos to calm and engage them.

Can person-centered care be implemented in a home setting?

Yes, person-centered care can be effectively implemented at home. Family caregivers can start by asking their loved one for their input on daily routines, meal choices, and preferred activities. Including them in decisions, even small ones, empowers them and fosters a more respectful environment.

What is the role of the family in person-centered care?

The family's role is crucial. They are often the best source of information about a senior's life story, preferences, and values. In person-centered care, families are treated as partners in the decision-making process and are encouraged to communicate openly with the care team.

How can I tell if a facility practices person-centered care?

When touring a facility, look for signs of person-centered care. Do residents have personalized decorations in their rooms? Do staff engage residents in conversation and respect their schedules? Is there a variety of resident-led activities? Observe the interactions between staff and residents for warmth and respect.

Is person-centered care more expensive?

While it may require more staff training and a higher staff-to-resident ratio, many facilities find that the benefits—including improved resident satisfaction, better health outcomes, and reduced staff turnover—outweigh the costs. The focus on holistic well-being can also reduce healthcare costs long-term.

What if a senior resists person-centered care or making decisions?

Resistance might indicate a need for more sensitive communication or a deeper understanding of the person's underlying reasons. A person-centered approach involves meeting the senior where they are, using patience, clear communication, and non-verbal cues. If they struggle with decisions, offering a limited number of choices can be less overwhelming.