Table of contents
If you're looking for care plan templates and examples, you're in the right place.
But here's what you need to know upfront: there is no universal care plan template that works for everyone. A care plan for someone living with dementia is fundamentally different from one for a young adult with epilepsy or someone recovering from surgery.
That said, you can use a consistent structure as your starting point — then adapt it to reflect each person's unique needs, preferences, and goals.
This guide covers:
- Core elements every person-centred care plan should include
- Practical examples of care plans for different conditions and settings
- How to adapt your approach for dementia, mental health, epilepsy, end-of-life care, and more
- Why digital care planning makes individualised support scalable
At the end, you can download a free printable care plan template pack based on the structure we use at Birdie.
Why care plans can't be one-size-fits-all
Care plans are only effective if they reflect the individual. That means:
- Understanding what matters to the person receiving care
- Identifying specific, measurable outcomes they want to achieve
- Designing support that adapts as their needs or goals change
This is why downloadable templates can only ever be a starting point. The value lies in how you use them — not the template itself.
The real challenge for care providers is balancing structure with flexibility: you need consistency across your team, but also the ability to personalise plans quickly without starting from scratch every time.
Core elements to include in every care plan
While every care plan is unique, most should cover the following areas:
- Personal information – preferences, communication style, cultural or religious needs
- Medical history – conditions, medications, allergies, past treatments
- Mental health and wellbeing – mood, anxiety, cognitive changes, coping strategies
- Social support – family involvement, friendships, community connections
- Environmental risks – home safety, mobility challenges, fall risk assessments
- Nutrition and hydration – dietary requirements, support needed at mealtimes
- Interests and activities – hobbies, routines, things that bring meaning or joy
- Communication – how the person prefers to be spoken to, any sensory or cognitive considerations
Not every client will need every section. The point is to focus on what's relevant — and to document it in a way that's actionable.
What each section of your care plan should include
For every area you document, capture three things:
- The focus area – e.g. mobility, personal care, social engagement
- The person's desired outcome – what they want to achieve or maintain
- How you'll support them – the tasks, frequency, and approach that will help
This structure keeps care plans outcome-focused, measurable, and practical.
Do I need to create every care plan from scratch?
You don’t always need to create a care plan from scratch. The elements inside each care plan should be different for each client, but you could start with a basic care plan framework for each client and personalise accordingly. That’s exactly how we create care plans at Birdie. Our care planning software allows you to choose the areas that need more information and you can fill out the relevant sections, without having to create a new document every time.
Article continues below this video
Read the following page to discover how Birdie can help you with your care management needs! Or book a free demo to talk to one of our experts who can show you the Birdie platform! No faff and no strings attached.
Examples of care plans for different conditions and settings
Let's look at how these principles apply in real-world scenarios.
Elderly care plan example
Older adults often need support with mobility, chronic health conditions, and social engagement.
Example: Margaret Thompson, age 85
- Condition: Osteoarthritis, mild cognitive impairment, reduced mobility
- Needs: Assistance with daily living, fall prevention, medication management, social connection
- Goals: Maintain independence, stay socially active, manage pain effectively
Support plan:
- Provide mobility aids (walking frame, grab rails)
- Schedule regular physiotherapy sessions
- Assist with personal care while promoting self-sufficiency
- Administer prescribed pain medication and monitor for side effects
- Encourage participation in group activities (arts and crafts, music therapy) to reduce isolation
- Maintain a structured daily routine for familiarity
Dementia care plan example (Alzheimer's disease)
A dementia care plan must account for cognitive changes, safety risks, and emotional wellbeing.
Example: George, living with Alzheimer's
Personal details & preferences:
- Enjoys jazz music, gardening, and spending time with grandchildren
- Feels calmest surrounded by familiar photographs
- Prefers his tea with two sugars
Identified needs:
- Sometimes feels disoriented, especially in late afternoon
- Needs medication reminders
- Higher risk of falls
- Can become anxious in unfamiliar settings
Goals:
- Support George to feel safe and settled at home
- Help maintain memory and routines for as long as possible
- Reduce periods of anxiety or confusion
Tailored support strategies:
- Introduce memory prompts (large wall calendar, labelled cupboards)
- Establish a predictable daily schedule for meals, activities, and rest
- Use visual cues around the house (pictures on doors) to help with navigation
- Encourage reminiscence activities (listening to jazz, creating a family scrapbook)
- Offer gentle exercises suited to his ability (short garden walks)
- Keep communication clear, simple, and unhurried
How this plan supports both George and his caregivers:
A well-designed dementia care plan does double duty. For George, it creates structure, reduces confusion, and helps him maintain dignity and independence. For his caregivers—whether family or professionals—it provides a clear roadmap for consistent, compassionate support: how to communicate effectively, what triggers to watch for, and how to respond when behaviours change.
Adapting the home environment for dementia:
Environmental modifications are critical. Consider:
- Installing grab rails in hallways and bathrooms
- Adding clear, easy-to-read signage or labels
- Removing trip hazards (loose rugs, clutter)
- Improving lighting in dark areas
- Using contrasting colours for furniture to help with perception
- Keeping commonly used items visible and accessible
These small changes can meaningfully reduce anxiety and improve safety.
Mental health care plan example
Mental health care plans focus on managing symptoms, building coping strategies, and providing structured support.
Example: Emily Brown, generalised anxiety disorder
- Goals: Reduce anxiety, improve coping mechanisms, prevent crisis escalation
- Support plan:
- Weekly cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) sessions
- Daily mindfulness exercises
- Prescribed medication with regular reviews
- Regular check-ins with a mental health professional
- Structured daily routine for stability
- Crisis intervention plan with clear steps and emergency contacts
- Trigger identification (noting specific situations that worsen anxiety)
Key components of a mental health care plan:
- Medication management: Clear instructions on timing, dosage, and side effects to monitor
- Therapy and counselling: Scheduled sessions with trained professionals
- Lifestyle modifications: Sleep hygiene, exercise, social connection
- Crisis planning: Who to contact, warning signs, de-escalation strategies
- Support network: Family, friends, or peer support contacts
Mental health care plans work best when they're co-created with the individual and reviewed regularly as needs evolve.
Nursing care plan example (post-operative recovery)
Nursing care plans are clinically detailed and focus on recovery, pain management, and preventing complications.
Example: Eleanor Harris, age 70, post hip replacement surgery
- Goals: Reduce pain, regain mobility, prevent infection, enhance independence
- Support plan:
- Regular pain assessments and prescribed analgesics
- Monitor surgical wound for signs of infection
- Encourage gradual mobilisation with physiotherapy support
- Support with daily activities while promoting independence
- Patient education on post-operative care and exercises
- Coordinate with occupational therapists for mobility aids
Nursing care plans often include detailed clinical protocols, escalation procedures, and coordination with multidisciplinary teams.
Epilepsy care plan example
Epilepsy care plans focus on seizure management, trigger identification, and emergency response.
Example: Daniel, living with epilepsy
Key elements:
- Personal details and condition overview: Type of epilepsy, seizure history
- Common triggers: Sleep deprivation, stress, flashing lights
- Daily medication routine: Clear reminders and monitoring
- Seizure management protocol: What to do during and after a seizure
- Emergency contacts and procedures: When to call 999
- Environmental safety: Creating quiet recovery spaces, removing hazards
- Caregiver training: Ensuring everyone knows how to respond calmly and effectively
An epilepsy care plan reduces anxiety for both the individual and their support network by providing clear, confident guidance.
Activity care plan example
Activity care plans promote social and cognitive engagement through meaningful recreation.
What is an activity care plan?
An activity care plan is a structured approach to supporting someone's involvement in recreational, social, and cognitive activities that matter to them. These plans are built around individual interests, abilities, and preferences.
Examples of activities:
- Group outings and social events
- Gardening or light outdoor activities
- Music sessions or art and craft workshops
- Games, puzzles, or memory exercises
- Community centre activities (bingo, exercise classes)
Why they matter:
Activity care plans help reduce loneliness, foster belonging, stimulate the mind, and maintain important skills. They're especially valuable for individuals in home care, residential settings, or those accessing community support.
End-of-life care plan example
End-of-life care plans ensure compassionate, dignified care during the final stages of life.
Key components:
- Pain and symptom management: Clear protocols for medication, therapies, and clinical support from palliative care teams
- Emotional wellbeing: Psychological support for the individual and their loved ones
- Respecting wishes: Documenting where and how the person wants to receive care (home, hospice, care facility)
- Preferences: Daily routines, visitors, spiritual or religious needs
- Coordination: Bringing together family, friends, and medical professionals so everyone is aligned
End-of-life care plans honour the person's values and ensure their final days are as comfortable and meaningful as possible.
Anticipatory care plan example
Anticipatory care plans help individuals with progressive illnesses prepare for future health challenges.
What is an anticipatory care plan?
An anticipatory care plan (ACP) is a forward-thinking roadmap for people living with progressive conditions like COPD, heart failure, or neurological disorders. Instead of waiting for a crisis, ACPs help everyone prepare.
How they support individuals and caregivers:
- Proactive planning: Prevents last-minute panics and unnecessary hospital admissions
- Clarity: Documents goals, wishes, and practical instructions for different scenarios
- Aligned teamwork: Ensures carers, healthcare professionals, and families are on the same page
- Personal control: Keeps the individual's voice at the centre of decision-making
ACPs bring peace of mind by making sure everyone knows what to do if health needs change suddenly.
Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) example
EHCPs support children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities.
What is an EHCP?
An Educational Health Care Plan is a tailored roadmap for students with SEND, ensuring they get the support they need to thrive in education.
Key components:
- Personalised goals: Developing communication skills, improving social interaction, increasing independence
- Support measures: One-to-one help, assistive technology (speech apps, visual timetables), therapy input
- Environmental adjustments: Adapting lighting, seating, or routines to create a calmer, more predictable atmosphere
EHCPs are co-created with families, teachers, and health professionals to remove barriers to learning and open doors to success.
You don't have to start from scratch every time
Individualised care planning doesn't mean reinventing the wheel for every client.
You can use a consistent framework that includes all the core elements, then personalise the relevant sections based on each person's circumstances.
At Birdie, we focus on elderly care and our care planning software works this way. You select the areas that need detail, complete the relevant fields, and the platform structures it into a person-centred care plan — without building a new document from scratch each time.
This approach saves time while maintaining the flexibility and depth care planning requires.
How Birdie supports person-centred care planning
Our platform is designed to make individualised care planning scalable. Here's how it works:
- Flexible templates: Start with a structured framework, adapt it to each person
- Goal tracking: Set outcomes collaboratively, monitor progress, adjust as needed
- Real-time access: Care teams can view and update care plans from any device
- CQC alignment: Built-in structure supports compliance and audit readiness
- Integration with delivery: Care plans inform scheduling, tasks, and visit notes — so planning and delivery stay connected
- Version control: Automatic change logs and audit trails reduce administrative burden
You can learn more about how Birdie's care planning works here, or book a free demo to see it in action.
Free resources to help you get started
If you're not yet using digital care planning software, we've created a free care management paper pack that includes:
- Printable care plan templates
- MAR chart template
- Body maps
- Client profile template
- Examples of how to complete each form
For additional guidance:
- How to create a person-centred care plan (with examples)
- SMART care planning checklist
- Care planning questions: how to have an effective conversation
- Additional clinical assessments template pack
Why digital care planning makes a difference
Paper-based care planning can work, but it creates friction:
- Updates take longer to circulate
- Information gets duplicated or lost
- Audit trails are harder to maintain
- Care plans become static documents rather than living tools
- Administrative burden limits time for direct care
Digital care planning solves these problems by making care plans:
- Accessible in real time to authorised care team members
- Easier to update as needs or goals change
- More auditable with automatic version control and change logs
- Better integrated with scheduling, task management, and visit notes
- More consistent across different caregivers and shifts
- Compliant by design with CQC requirements built in
The result: higher-quality, person-centred care delivered more efficiently.
If you're considering a move to digital, read our guide to person-centred care planning software or explore our full care management platform.
Next steps
Care planning is only effective if it reflects the person at the centre of it. Templates can help you structure that process, but the real value comes from how you adapt them to individual needs and keep them updated as circumstances change.
If you're ready to move beyond paper and make person-centred care planning more efficient, get in touch with our team. We'll walk you through how Birdie works and help you decide if it's the right fit for your organisation.
For more on care planning fundamentals, see:
Published date:
April 21, 2024
Author:
Emma-Lee Curtis
.jpg)
.svg)