Person-Centered Care: The Compassionate Way to Provide Home Care

“Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.” ― Margaret Mead

Becoming a caregiver is a compassionate and often selfless choice. One topic that Best Care covers in training Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) is the concept of “person-centered care.” In today’s post, we’re going to define person-centered home care and provide examples of how this type of service benefits both the caregiver and recipient of care. 

What Is Person-Centered Care?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Person-centered care is empowering people to take charge of their own health rather than being passive recipients of services.” This method of care is founded on the principle that a care recipient’s input, opinions, and experiences will improve his or her overall health outcomes. 

The Institute for Patient and Family-Centered Care (IPFCC) further defines this approach as one “grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among health care providers, patients, and families” and identifies its goal to be “to promote the health and well-being of individuals and families and to maintain their control.” In other words, families and patients should be at the center of all healthcare decisions and actions. 

At its core, person-centered home care is an approach that respects the wants and needs of an individual. Person-centered care is also about dignity and overall well-being.

What Does Person-Centered Home Care Look Like?

Here are some examples of what person-centered care looks like from a caregiver and healthcare provider perspective: 

• Active, intentional listening
• Respect for values, preferences, and needs
• Coordination between clinical care, home care, and other support services
• Easy-to-understand educational resources, regarding the individual’s health, designed to minimize stress and fear
• Pain management
• Assistance with daily needs
• Involvement of family and friends when making decisions
• Continuity of care, including transitions between facilities or home/hospital

Why is Person-Centered Care Important? 

Studies show that when a person receives respectful, individualized home care, in which they experience compassion and empathy from their healthcare providers and caregivers, they experience better health, faster recovery, and a happier mindset. Person-centered care also results in reduced uncertainty and vulnerability.

Connect with Best Care Today!

If you or a loved one is in need of PCA assistance, give us a call or send us a message! Best Care specializes in helping family caregivers get paid for taking care of their loved ones in need of support.