Personalised care: the complete guide

This article looks at what personalised care is, how to start practicing personalised care and what some of the key benefits are to this approach. Let’s go!

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What is personalised care?

Personalised care refers to care provision that meets the unique needs and preferences of the individual receiving care. Personalised care is an approach that recognises that every person is different, and therefore their care and support needs should be unique to their specific requirements.

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To put personalised care into action, firstly a unique care plan must be made in collaboration with the person receiving care, their family members and their healthcare providers. This care plan takes into consideration the individual’s medical conditions, lifestyle, cultural background and personal preferences. The care plan also outlines the goals of care, the services required and the optimal schedule for care provision.

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The ultimate aim of personalised care is to provide high-quality, patient-centred care that promotes independence, improves quality of life, and meets the needs and goals of the individual. By tailoring care services to meet the specific needs of each person, caregivers can provide a more effective, efficient, and satisfactory care experience!

What are the benefits of personalised care?

Personalised care, especially in the context of homecare, has several amazing benefits!  Here are the benefits of personalised care:

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1. Improved quality of life: Personalised care allows individuals to receive care tailored to their unique needs, preferences, and goals. This approach promotes dignity and respect for the individual, which can lead to an improved quality of life, as they feel empowered and independent for longer. 
2. Better health outcomes: When care is tailored to meet the specific needs of an individual, it can often lead to better health outcomes. Research shows that personalised care can help individuals manage chronic conditions, prevent hospitalisation, and promote overall well-being.
3. Increased client satisfaction: The practice of personalised care has been linked to increased satisfaction for the individuals receiving care, their families and their caregivers. By involving individuals in the care planning process and incorporating their preferences, caregivers can provide a more satisfactory care experience. This can be a great way to help care professionals feel empowered while improving their client’s lives; key for care professional retention.
4. Reduced healthcare costs: Did you know personalised care can help reduce healthcare costs? Personalised care is linked to the prevention of unnecessary hospitalizations, reducing the need for emergency care, and improving medication adherence. 
5. Improved communication: Personalised care involves regular communication between individuals receiving care, their families, and healthcare providers. This communication can lead to better understanding of care needs, increased trust, and improved care coordination. Ultimately this could lead to a greater uptake in personalised homecare as a default social care option for our older population, which would benefit your business and the community as a whole.

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Overall, personalised care at home can improve the quality of life for individuals receiving care, promote better health outcomes, increase satisfaction, reduce healthcare costs, and improve communication and care coordination!

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Why are personalised care plans important?

Personalised care plans allow the individuals receiving care to receive tailored support that speaks to their specific needs, preferences, and goals. Here are five reasons personalised care plans are becoming an increasingly key part of outstanding care delivery:

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1. Tailored support: Personalised care plans allow care professionals to tailor their care to meet the specific needs and goals of each individual. This ensures that individuals receive care that is appropriate, effective, and tailored to their unique circumstances - and helps care providers feel empowered to do their best work!
2. Better outcomes: Personalised care plans are linked to improve health outcomes, as they address specific health needs and promote individual goals. This can lead to better medication management, improved symptom control, and increased independence - and is also a key factor in reaching a high score with regulators!
3. Improved satisfaction: Personalised care plans can increase satisfaction among individuals receiving care by ensuring that their needs and preferences are being addressed. This can lead to greater independence, improved quality of life, and increased overall satisfaction with the care experience.
4. Clearer communication: Personalised care plans help facilitate clear communication between individuals receiving care, their families, and caregivers. This can help ensure that everyone is on the same page, with a shared understanding of care needs and goals.
5. Flexibility: Personalised care plans are flexible and can be easily adjusted as an individual's needs change over time. This ensures that care remains appropriate and effective as an individual's circumstances change. Another key part of meeting and exceeding regulatory requirements.

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Overall, personalised care plans should be an important part of your care delivery, because they ensure that individuals receive support that is tailored to their specific needs, goals, and preferences. This can help improve outcomes, increase satisfaction, and promote clear communication and flexibility in care provision.

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What is the difference between person-centred care and personalised care?

Person-centred care and personalised care are two related concepts in healthcare, but they are not identical! 

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Person-centred care refers to an approach to healthcare that focuses on the individual as a whole, while recognising that each person has unique needs, preferences, and goals. Person-centred care emphasises treating the individual with dignity and respect, involving them in decision-making, and considering their preferences and values when planning care. 

The aim of person-centred care is to empower individuals to take an active role in their care, and to ensure that their care is aligned with their values and goals.

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Personalised care, on the other hand, refers specifically to the provision of care that is tailored to the individual's unique needs, preferences, and goals. Personalised care involves developing a care plan that is customised to meet the individual's specific needs, taking into account their medical condition, lifestyle, cultural background, and personal preferences. The aim of personalised care is to provide individualised support that promotes independence, improves quality of life, and meets the needs and goals of the individual.

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In summary, person-centred care is an approach to healthcare that emphasises treating individuals with dignity and respect - while personalised care is a specific strategy for providing care that is tailored to the unique needs, preferences, and goals of the individual. Person-centred care is a broader concept that encompasses personalised care, as well as other aspects of care provision that focus on the individual as a whole.

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