Considerations and Steps for Implementing Person-Centered Care for People with Dementia –

• Learn about the person’s life history, including their preferences, hobbies, work history, family, and significant life events.

• Identify the person’s likes and dislikes, daily routines, and preferred activities.

Step #2:

Create a supportive environment – similar to home with safety and accessibility top of mind.

• Design the living environment to be as much like home and as comfortable as possible, with familiar objects and personal items.

• Reduce potential hazards and make it easy for the person to navigate.

Step #3:

Develop some communication techniques to ensure optimum interactions with the person.

• Practice active listening by giving the person your full attention, making eye contact, and responding thoughtfully to their words and non-verbal cues.

• Use clear, simple language and speak slowly. Avoid jargon and complex sentences.

• Use non-verbal communication such as gestures, facial expressions, and body language to support verbal communication and convey understanding.

Step #4:

Remember that the person wants to be – and should be – involved in decisions that affect their life.

• Provide options in daily activities and respect the person’s choices, even in small matters like clothing or meals.

• Show that you respect their autonomy by encouraging the person to make decisions about their care and daily routine to the extent possible.

Step #5:

Develop a care plan specifically for the individual, rather than using a one -plan – fits – all approach.

• The plan should be tailored to the person’s specific needs, preferences, and abilities.

• Regularly review and update the care plan to reflect changes in the person’s condition or preferences.

 

(Example of a Daily Implementation Plan for Person Centered Care Below)

Step #6:

Create and present activities that are meaningful.

• Plan and facilitate activities that are meaningful and enjoyable for the person, based on their interests and past hobbies.

• Modify activities to match the person’s current abilities, ensuring they can participate successfully.

Step #7:

Build relationships to establish trust.

• Be as consistent as possible. Ensure that the same caregivers interact with the person regularly to build trust and familiarity.

• Treat the person with empathy and respect, acknowledging their feelings and validating their experiences as you would do with any person you care about.

Step #8:

Support emotional well-being.

• Provide emotional support through empathetic listening, comforting touch, and reassuring words.

• Identify and minimize sources of stress or anxiety, creating a calm and soothing environment.

Step #9:

Encourage independence and provide positive reinforcement.

• Promote self-help by encouraging the person to perform tasks independently or with minimal assistance, using adaptive tools if necessary.

• Praise and encourage the person’s efforts and achievements, no matter how small.

Step #10:

Keep caregivers up to date with information to help them provide the best possible person-centered care.

• Provide ongoing training for caregivers on person-centered care principles and techniques.

• Foster collaboration and communication among all members of the care team to ensure consistent and coordinated care.

Step #11:

Involve family and friends.

• Ensure family engagement by involving family members and friends in the care process, encouraging regular visits and participation in activities.

• Maintain open lines of communication with the family, keeping them informed about the person’s condition and care plan.

Example of a Daily Implementation Plan 

Morning Routine:

• Greet warmly: “Good morning, Jack. How are you feeling today?”

• Offer/ present choices: “Would you like to wear the blue shirt or the red sweater?”

• Engage in familiar activities: “Let’s listen to your favorite music while we have breakfast.”

Activity Time:

• “I know you love gardening. Would you like to help water the plants today?”

• Assist with tasks as needed but encourage the person to do as much as possible independently.

Evening Routine:

• Follow a consistent bedtime routine that the person finds comforting.

• Use soft lighting and soothing music to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

 

By following these steps, caregivers can effectively implement person-centered care, respecting the individuality of each person with dementia and enhancing their quality of life.

 

Check out our training and conferences/webinars on the Montessori Method Adapted for the Cognitively Impaired.