As you may have already seen, we’ve developed a close working relationship with former CQC inspector Anne Weston. Anne is now part of RHW Care Consults, a specialist team designed to help care providers with their regulatory commitments, which helps to provide Nourish with critical guidance when it comes to regulatory updates and compliance. Her direct experience of how the regulatory bodies operate, along with her vast knowledge of the care industry, make her perfectly placed to help guide care providers on a range of different technical topics they may need advice on. This week, we spoke to Anne regarding one aspect of care recording that is often overlooked when working in a busy care environment – “positive person-centred care”.
What is person-centred care?
Person-centred care is a way of providing care so that those receiving and giving it are on equal footing when it comes to developing, monitoring and undertaking care, ensuring it always meets a person’s individual needs. This doesn’t mean that you give people whatever they want, nor does it involve mindlessly providing information, it’s about considering a person’s individual and personal wishes, family, values and circumstances, then working with them to create the best possible solution for care that’s tailored to their individual needs.
What does it mean to be positive in regards to care recording?
When recording care, being positive means communicating in a manner that reflects the positive aspects of the care and support being described, and not just the negatives. It’s the difference between – “Gladys is unable to get to the toilet herself and frequently wets the bed” which is a negative way to record care. Instead you should record in a style that highlights what she is able to do, such as “Gladys is able to use the toilet when aided by one of the care team” and “This means that she needs to be helped to go to the toilet before she goes to bed and first thing in the morning”.
Here are my top areas for ensuring your care planning is both positive and person-centred:
- Recognition – Always make sure the person in care is acknowledged, call them by their name, make eye contact or physical contact.
- Negotiation – Make sure that those in care are consulted about their preferences and how they are being cared for and supported.
- Collaboration – Never forget that you need to work with the person in care; collaborate and don’t just do things to/for them. Taking time to learn about the person is essential to providing all aspects of person-centred care from activities to meal times to personal care.
- Empowerment – Don’t be afraid of releasing full control and assisting the person to discover or employ abilities and skills on their own.
- Play – Having fun, enjoying yourself with the person is part of providing person-centred care and getting to know and understand their needs on a deeper level.
- Stimulation – Using one or more of the senses to enjoy something for example, smelling a flower, stroking velvet, listening to music, watching others participate and actually participating in activities/creativity.
- Celebration – When the person achieves something, celebrate it with them and make sure that they feel all of the positivity that comes with making achievements.
- Relaxation – Helping the person relax, perhaps with music, offering hand massage or other nice things you can do to help them feel at ease.
- Validation (in relation to those with dementia) – Recognising and supporting the reality of the person. Sensitivity to feelings and emotions should take priority.
- Warmth – The care worker demonstrates genuine affection, care and concern for the person in a warm, compassionate and kind-hearted manner.
- Genuine – Being honest and open with the person in a way that is sensitive to his or her needs and feelings.
- Facilitation – Assisting a person to achieve something they would not normally be able to do alone.
- Creation – Helping the person in care carry out creative acts and activities which help them express themselves.
- Giving – The person is able to give the carer or another resident some affection, gratitude or assistance.
- Belonging – Providing a sense of acceptance in a particular setting regardless of abilities and humour.
How does Nourish support positive person-centred care planning?
The Nourish care management system allows you to style your recording in a way which is completely customised to the individual receiving care. With person-centred timelines at the heart of the system your care teams are helped to record care that is bespoke to the individual.
If you’d like to find out more about how Nourish’s care plan software can help you deliver person-centred care planning and management, then give us a call on 02380 002288 or email the team at caring@Nourishcare.co.uk and one of our experts will get in touch. To find out more about how Nourish can benefit your care service, book your personalised demo today.
