Putting Seniors First
Person-centred care is an approach that places the individual at the heart of healthcare delivery, a crucial concept in aged care settings. It involves treating each older person as a unique individual with their own values, preferences, and needs rather than simply focusing on their medical conditions or age-related challenges. This approach emphasises respecting the dignity, rights, and preferences of older adults while developing therapeutic relationships built on mutual trust and understanding. In aged care, it aims to empower seniors to make informed decisions about their care and provides holistic support that addresses physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. Furthermore, person-centred care in aged care settings focuses on coordinating and integrating care across different services to ensure comprehensive and continuous support for older individuals, promoting their independence and quality of life.
Origins of Person-Centred Care in Aged Care
The concept of person-centred care has evolved significantly in the context of aged care:
1960s: Psychoanalyst Michael Balint coined the term “patient-centred medicine,” emphasizing the importance of understanding the patient as a whole person, which later influenced aged care practices.
1970s-1980s: Nursing theorists like Jean Watson and Rosemarie Parse developed caring theories that emphasized the importance of the nurse-patient relationship, particularly relevant in long-term care settings.
1980s-1990s: The Picker Institute’s research led to the formulation of the eight Picker Principles of Patient-Centred Care, which have been widely applied in aged care facilities.
2001: The Institute of Medicine included patient-centred care as one of six aims for improving healthcare quality, influencing aged care policies and practices.
Key contributors to person-centred care in nursing and aged care have shaped modern practices. Brendan McCormack’s 2006 book “Person-Centred Nursing: Theory and Practice,” co-authored with Tanya McCance, has been influential in advancing and operationalizing person-centeredness in nursing. In aged care, Tom Kitwood’s 1990s work on dementia care, particularly his concept of “personhood,” revolutionized approaches to caring for older adults with cognitive impairments, significantly influencing person-centered practices in aged care settings globally.
Importance for Quality Nursing Care in Aged Care
Person-centred care is vital for delivering high-quality nursing care in aged care settings for several reasons:
Improved Health Outcomes: In aged care, person-centred approaches have been shown to reduce falls, improve nutrition, and enhance overall well-being of older adults.
Enhanced Resident Satisfaction: When older adults feel respected and involved in their care, their satisfaction with aged care services significantly increases, leading to better quality of life.
Increased Staff Job Satisfaction: Aged care nurses who practice person-centred care often report higher job satisfaction and reduced burnout, crucial in a sector facing workforce challenges.
Holistic Approach: This approach encourages aged care nurses to consider all aspects of an older person’s life, including their personal history and preferences, leading to more comprehensive and effective care.
Empowerment: By involving older adults in decision-making, person-centred care promotes autonomy and maintains dignity, particularly important in long-term care settings.
Cultural Competence: In aged care, this approach encourages nurses to consider and respect the diverse cultural and spiritual beliefs of older adults, leading to more inclusive and respectful care.
Continuity of Care: Person-centered care in aged care settings emphasizes coordination across various health services, promoting better continuity of care and smoother transitions between different levels of care.
In Summary
Person-centred care represents a vital shift in aged care from task-oriented approaches to one that truly values the individual. For aged care nurses, embracing this approach means not only providing expert clinical care but also developing strong interpersonal skills, cultural competence, and a commitment to seeing each older adult as a unique person with their own story, values, and preferences. As the aged care sector continues to evolve, person-centred care remains a crucial element in delivering high-quality nursing care that meets the diverse needs of older adults in the 21st century.
