Person centred care is an approach to healthcare and social support that recognises each individual’s unique needs, values, and preferences. It promotes dignity, respect, and equal involvement in decisions about their care.
In practice, people don’t just want treatment; they want to feel heard, understood, and respected. That is what person-focused care is all about. Instead of treating only an illness or condition, it recognises the whole person, including their needs, feelings, preferences, and what matters most to them.
For healthcare assistants, personalised care shapes every interaction with the people they support. But what is individual-centred care, and why is it so important? Let’s find out.
Person centred care puts the individual first by recognising their needs, preferences, and life experiences. In simple terms, the meaning of person centred care is providing care that respects each person’s choices and involves them in decisions about their own support. By doing so, healthcare professionals can deliver more compassionate, personalised care.
Instead of focusing only on tasks and routines, healthcare professionals who provide person centred care listen to individuals, respect their choices, and work with them to deliver meaningful support. You will be responsible for playing an important part in this when you become a healthcare assistant.
Person centred care is really important for both the individuals that you are working with and the care itself. This creates trust, ensures good health and wellbeing, promotes independence, and achieves positive results. When healthcare professionals deliver care based on a person’s needs, everyone benefits.
At the core of person centred care are four key principles that shape the way you support people every day. Understanding these principles helps you make better decisions, build trust, and deliver care that actually makes a difference. So what are the 4 principles of person centred care? Let’s break them down one by one.
Every person has their own story, beliefs and preferences. No two people are the same. So never assume that everyone wants the same kind of care. Instead, take time to get to know the person. Ask them what they like, don’t like, and what is important to them. In this way, you can give support that truly fits their needs.
People should always have a say in their own lives, even when they need support. Let them make their own choices wherever possible, whether it’s what to wear, what to eat, or how to spend their day. Small choices make a big difference. In short, in this way, you help people feel confident, valued, and in control.
The way you treat a person is just as important as the care you provide. Use kind words, listen carefully, respect privacy, and always speak to the person, not about them. Person centred care also protects each individual’s rights under the Human Rights Act 1998, including the rights to life, safety, liberty, security, and equality. Respecting these rights helps people feel valued, safe, and respected.
Most people receive support from more than one professional. That means good teamwork is essential. Share the right information with the right people, and keep communication clear. When everyone works together, the person gets a smoother, more consistent experience of care.
Person centred values help healthcare assistants provide respectful, compassionate, and personalised support. As a result, these values ensure every individual receives care that reflects their needs, preferences, and rights.
| Value | What It Means |
| Individuality | Recognise that every person is unique and personalise care to their needs. |
| Choice | Support people to make informed decisions about their care. |
| Independence | Encourage people to do as much as they can for themselves. |
| Dignity | Protect privacy and treat everyone with kindness and respect. |
| Respect | Listen to people’s views and value their choices. |
| Rights | Protect the rights set out in the Human Rights Act 1998. |
| Privacy | Keep personal information confidential and respect personal space. |
| Partnership | Work closely with the individual, their family, and the care team. |
Person centred care can look a bit different depending on the situation, but the idea stays simple. Moreover, it’s about understanding the person, listening to them, and respecting what they want. These examples will show how small changes in care can make someone feel more comfortable, valued, and independent.
The case involves an elderly patient suffering from dementia who becomes very agitated at night every day. Rather than just treating the symptom, they decide to look into the history of the individual. In this case, the staff learn that he had been working on night shifts for a long time. Therefore, he is subjected to an adjusted schedule and feels more comfortable as well as understood.
A nurse speaking correctly to a patient after surgery. They go through the options, they ask the person what they want and listen to what’s most important to them. Nothing happens without the patient.” It’s a simple approach, but it makes the person feel respected and that they are in charge of their own care.
A home care client needs daily support but wants to stay as independent as possible. Instead of doing everything for them, the caregiver works alongside the person. They encourage involvement in everyday tasks like preparing meals or organising medication. The person still gets the help they need, but they keep their confidence and sense of independence, too.
Although person centred care offers many benefits, it also comes with challenges. From time pressures to communication barriers, things don’t always go smoothly. However, these obstacles are not impossible to overcome. Here are some of the most common challenges and practical ways to handle them.
Even on the busiest shifts, small moments matter. Taking a few seconds to ask about preferences before a task can go a long way.
Sometimes, colleagues may prefer to stick to familiar routines. Instead of following the same approach, lead by example and show what good person centred care looks like in practice.
When someone struggles to communicate verbally, switch to simple language, use visual aids, and read body language carefully to fill in the gaps.
At times, family members may have different opinions about a person’s care. In these situations,however, stay focused on what the individual wants, as their preferences should always remain the priority.
Good care starts with good knowledge; the more you learn, the more confident you become. As a result, you develop stronger communication skills, and you also learn how to support different needs. In addition, learning helps you understand what is person-focused care? and what it involves, allowing you to make better decisions every day.
Moreover, as a healthcare assistant, if you want to strengthen your understanding of person centred care, Healthcare Academy London offers the Work in a Person Centred Way Course. This course can be a helpful learning option. It builds your awareness of how to put the individual first in everyday care. In short, you learn how to respect choices, support independence, and provide care that truly meets each person’s needs.
Q1. What is an example of person centred care?
A simple example of person centred care is asking someone how they would like to receive support instead of making assumptions. For example, a healthcare assistant may let a resident choose what to wear, when to eat, or how they would like to complete their daily routine.
Q2. Why is person centred care important in healthcare?
Person centred care fosters better levels of trust, communication, and well-being because it engages patients in the decision-making process regarding their care. This type of care ensures patient independence and promotes respect for patient dignity.
Q3. How can healthcare assistants provide person centred care?
Healthcare assistants can provide person centred care by listening carefully, respecting individual preferences, encouraging independence, involving people in decisions, and working closely with families and other healthcare professionals.
Q4. What is the difference between person centred care and traditional care?
Traditional care often focuses on routines and medical conditions, while person centred care focuses on the individual’s needs, preferences, goals, and overall wellbeing. It encourages people to take an active role in decisions about their care.
Q5. What skills do healthcare assistants need for person centred care?
Healthcare assistants need strong communication, empathy, active listening, patience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. These skills help them understand individual needs and provide compassionate, personalised support.
