Initiating Person-Centered Care Practices in Long-Term Care Facilities

TLDR

Person‑centered care, defined by personhood, choice, comfort, nurturing relationships, and supportive environments, is a key concept guiding long‑term care improvement. The article describes the processes used to develop and support person‑centered care practices in long‑term care facilities. The Oregon Health & Science University Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence partnered with the state agency and nine long‑term care facilities to develop and implement person‑centered care practices such as bathing, dining, and gardening. Among the nine facilities, three made significant practice changes, four made moderate changes, and two made minimal progress, with differences attributed to culture, management, staff involvement, and sustainability focus.

Abstract

Person-centered care is a key concept guiding efforts to improve long-term care. Elements of person-centered care include personhood, knowing the person, maximizing choice and autonomy, comfort, nurturing relationships, and a supportive physical and organizational environment. The Oregon Health & Science University Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence and the state agency that oversees health care for older adults worked in partnership with 9 long-term care facilities. Each developed and implemented person-centered care practices, including those focused on bathing, dining, or gardening. This article describes the processes used to develop and support these practices. Three exemplary facilities made significant practice changes, 4 made important but more moderate changes, and 2 made minimal progress. These facilities differed in terms of existing culture, management practices, staff involvement, and attention to sustainability.