What is Person-centred Dementia Care?
If your loved one has recently been diagnosed with dementia, you may be wondering what type of care is best.
06/08/2024
If your loved one has recently been diagnosed with dementia, you may be wondering what type of care is best.
If your loved one has recently been diagnosed with dementia, you may be wondering what type of care is best.
There are many different techniques, methods and resources available to tailor the right care options for your loved one. But person-centred care stands out from the rest. Person-centred care helps put your loved one first.
In this guide, we’ll explore what person-centred care is and what makes it a great option for people living with dementia.
For personalised advice, contact our team at Bluebird Care today.
What is Person-Centred Dementia Care?
Dementia is a condition that affects over 900,000 people in the UK. It affects our ability to remember and think clearly. It can impact our independence and decision making. This is why care for people living with dementia is so important.
Person-centred dementia care is a method that puts the focus on the person living with dementia. This type of care is built from an understanding of the person in question. If the carer knows their personal history and interests, they can better personalise their care.
This is not a set of standard rules or techniques. But an approach that centres the individual. This type of care plan is built through communication and conversation with the person in question and their family. The best way to provide this care is to give the person living with dementia choices. Whether that be choosing meals or planning their day, every small decision matters.
This method of care is a flexible approach that considers the person’s changing individual needs. It thrives on building and sustaining relationships to better inform the carer's plans.
Professionals and Person-Centred Care
Family carers have an advantage with this approach, as they are intimately aware of their loved one’s needs and history. However, professional carers can help with this method as well. Professional carers who use this approach focus on communication above all else.
Professionals can expertly organise open and honest conversations about the person’s needs. These conversations involve the person with dementia and their family, as well as any relevant experts.
A person-centred approach is more than achievable with a professional's help. The person living with dementia can benefit from professional, tailored support that gives them the agency to live the way they want.
Benefits of Person-Centred Care
Person-centred care has a lot of benefits for people living with dementia. By giving choice to your loved one and respecting them, you can improve their independence. Likewise, by affirming their choices they are less likely to grow agitated, upset or confused about what is happening. It encourages them to take an active part in their lives.
It can also improve your relationship with your loved one. By encouraging communication, you can feel closer to them than ever. This also helps them feel safer and more secure in their day-to-day life.
In 2018, only 26% of patients said they had been given a choice in their admission. Being excluded from these types of decisions can have negative effects on the people we love. With increased agency from this approach, people living with dementia can have the support they need while pursuing the interests and activities they enjoy.
Challenges of Person-Centred Care
Some of the main challenges of person-centred care are around the agency of the person living with dementia. There can be difficulty adjusting to care and what that means in terms of their independence. It is important to find a balance between what the person can do and what they want to do to ensure their happiness and health.
Likewise, if your loved one has difficulty communicating it may be difficult to implement this approach. Dementia affects their cognitive functioning and can impact their communication skills. There are ways to improve your communication such as talking simply, writing what you want to say or repeating yourself. With patience, you should be able to overcome these challenges to help your loved one get the care they choose.
Person-Centred Care for Your Loved One
Taking a person-centred care approach for your loved one is a great way to help them feel more confident and comfortable. This can improve their quality of life and preserve their sense of personal dignity.
If you are after advice for dementia support or want to know more about person-centred care, contact us at Bluebird Care today. We take pride in offering our support to people in need and helping them find the approach that works for them.
