The Implementation of a Model of Person-Centred Practice In Older ...

The implementation of a model of person-centred practice in older person settings
photographs of day trips out they have had. He could name everyone and told us
those who had died and those still alive] (Resident story)
However, this is an area of practice that needs much more consideration and
continuous planning based on an assessment of individual resident’s needs, wants
and desires with respect of their social connections – a key aspect of being personcentred.
Engaging in these activities helps to maintain a sense of inclusion in the
community and a greater sense of belonging that enables the older person to grow
and change as well as experience change in their daily life.
Finally in this category, the theme of ‘celebration’ was identified. Throughout the life
of this programme, participants identified the need to pay attention to celebration for
residents and staff. Developments were put in place that celebrated staff
achievements and also that celebrated older people and their lives. Examples of this
included more individualised attention to residents’ birthdays and the planning of
events at Christmas that were focused on the desires of residents rather than on an
‘established routine’. Initiatives were put in place that celebrated being more personcentred,
such as the welcome cards designed by participants in the South East (see
individual site report – Chapter 2)
In summary, it is clear that participants in the programme invested a lot of effort and
energy into developing a greater sense of belonging in the settings and developed a
range of creative approaches, building on the ongoing evaluation data that reflected
the uniqueness of their individual context. Whilst it is recognised that in no way is
this work ‘finished’ and it requires an ongoing commitment to further development, it
also needs to be recognised that many of the environments are not conducive to
contemporary practice in residential care for older people and the work that staff do
to reduce the imagery and impacts of institutionalisation is to be applauded.
154