Person-Centred Care Overview

Person-Centred Care: Overview

• Person-centred care prioritizes individual needs, preferences, and values in healthcare.
• It emphasizes respect, dignity, empowerment, and shared decision-making.
• Collaboration between individuals and their care team is crucial.
• Core concepts include respect for autonomy, dignity, self-determination, individual circumstances, experiences, and perspectives.
• It fosters a collaborative partnership between the individual and their care providers.

Implementing Person-Centred Care

• Proactive recruitment focused on values aligning with person-centered care is vital.
• Thorough interviews assess candidates' past behaviors and decision-making.
• Ongoing staff training is essential for delivering effective person-centred care. Training is designed to reduce stress, improve job satisfaction, and lower staff turnover.
• Regular reviews, involving individuals, families, and professionals (as needed) monitor the effectiveness of support plans.
• Vigilance to ensure individuals remain informed and in control is crucial.
• Modeling good person-centered care through experienced professionals builds confidence and provides practical framework for new staff.

Challenges in Person-Centred Care

• Resistance to change from fear of loss of power and control among professionals.
• Institutional history influences practices, requiring a cultural shift towards person-centred care.
• Medical model of health often views disability as an individual problem, focusing on curing rather than empowering individuals.
• Shortage of staff training in person-centred care concepts
• Communication barriers hinder trust and understanding.
• Challenges in accepting individual choices, even when potentially impacting health status.
• Traditional assessments often focus on deficits instead of strengths and capacities.
• Lack of clarity on roles and shared responsibilities can hinder effective collaboration.

Person-Centred Care and the History of Disability

• Institutionalization (19th century): individuals with disabilities were removed from communities into poorly maintained institutions.
• Shift towards community-based supports (mid-20th century): development of residential homes, though segregation persisted.
• Independent Living Movement: advocates for self-determination, community-based support, accessible environments, and equal opportunities.
• Disability Rights Movement challenges societal barriers, advocating for the social model of disability. 
• Key legislation (e.g., Disability Discrimination Act) provides legal protection against discrimination.
• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities supports the principles of independent living.

Principles of Person-Centred Care

• Independence and rights: individuals have the right to live as they choose, have employment opportunities, and form meaningful relationships in inclusive communities.
• Co-production: Individuals are fully involved in care decisions, choosing and controlling their personal care to express important values.
• Inclusive communities: participation in community activities, and access to resources (sports clubs, libraries etc.) is essential for valued community membership.
• Core concepts of person-centred care include valuing individuals as unique people, respecting their values, balancing individual needs with essential care considerations, and recognizing the positive aspects of risk-taking.
• Benefits: involvement in treatment leads to better outcomes and satisfaction, informed individuals are more engaged and less anxious, and support is designed collaboratively.