Delivering person-centered end of life care

Delivering Person-centred End of Life Care

Person-centred care refers to the delivery of care that respects and responds to individual needs and preferences.
Central to this approach is valuing people as individuals including their values, beliefs, personal history, and lifestyle.
This approach aims to develop partnerships between individuals and healthcare professionals to achieve the best outcomes.

Understanding the individual: To deliver person-centred care at the end of life, it is essential to understand the person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, as well as their fears, concerns and wishes.
Respecting personal choices: Respecting personal choices is key to person-centred care. This could be about where they would like to spend their last days or how they wish to handle pain and discomfort.
Involving loved ones: Delivering person-centred end of life care often involves the person’s loved ones because they can provide insight into the person’s preferences and wishes.

Improved quality of life: By focusing on individuals’ preferences, person-centred care aims to enhance the person’s quality of life in their final days.
Reduced stress and anxiety: By respecting individuals’ feelings and wishes, person-centred care can help to minimise stress and anxiety at the end of life.
More meaningful final days: Person-centred end of life care helps the person to spend their last days in a way that reflects their values and wishes.

Communication: Maintaining open and honest communication is crucial, both for understanding the person’s needs and wishes, and for discussing the progression of their illness and the available options.
Collaboration with the multidisciplinary team: Delivering person-centred end of life care requires collaboration among the care team members. Regular meetings can facilitate this, allowing staff to share updates and discuss the person’s needs and wishes.
Review and adjustment: Reviewing and adjusting care plans as needed is fundamental in person-centered end of life care. As the person’s circumstances or desires change, their care plan should be updated to reflect these changes.
Emotional support: Providing emotional support to both the person and their loved ones is a key part of delivering person-centred end of life care.
Respecting dignity and promoting comfort: The end of life period can be hard for the individual and their loved ones. Respecting the person’s dignity and promoting comfort are vital parts of person-centred end-of-life care.