Person-centred dementia care
Person-centred care in dementia care within UK care homes has been a significant focus of research and policy initiatives. The National Service Framework for Older People in the UK and government policies emphasize the importance of person-centred care for individuals with dementia (Kirkley et al., 2011). Studies have shown that person-centred care is essential for the quality of dementia care (Franco et al., 2022). Implementing person-centred care in care homes has been associated with reducing agitation in dementia patients (Mayor, 2018). Additionally, person-centred care has been linked to improvements in quality of life and reductions in behavioural symptoms for individuals with dementia in residential care settings (Dyer et al., 2018).
Research has highlighted the need for more national and organizational support to successfully implement person-centred care for people living with dementia in nursing homes (Kong et al., 2021). Studies have also indicated that healthcare professionals in acute care settings may require additional education to effectively implement person-centred care for persons with dementia (Gaugler & Wocken, 2014). Furthermore, the literature emphasizes the importance of immediate changes in dementia education and training to better equip the workforce to deliver high-quality person-centred care (Smith et al., 2019).
Person-centred care is considered best practice for individuals with dementia, focusing on individual preferences, needs, and values to guide clinical decisions (Nandimath, 2021). It has been recognized as the gold standard in dementia care and is viewed as a core component of dementia care competence (Wang et al., 2018). However, challenges in implementing person-centred care include the need for more education and training for healthcare professionals, as well as organizational factors that may influence its implementation (Gaugler & Wocken, 2014).
In conclusion, the research on person-centred care in dementia care within UK care homes underscores its importance in improving the quality of life for individuals with dementia. While there is a strong emphasis on the benefits of person-centred care, there are also challenges in its implementation that need to be addressed through education, training, and organizational support.
