Jan 20, 2024 | News
A care plan, and especially a personalised care plan, is essential for ensuring that your elderly loved one can enjoy the highest quality of life possible. But what are the specific benefits of a personalised plan – and how can you make one?
Why care plans are important
Accepting that your loved one needs care of some kind is a big step towards improving their quality of life. But putting the wrong kind of care in place can fail to have a positive impact – and can even have a detrimental effect on their life and well-being.
Therefore, it’s crucial to put together a care plan so that you, your loved one and those involved in their care know from the outset the type of care required, and why.
How to make a care plan for your elderly loved one
Every person is different, which means every care plan must be different. A personalised care plan is one that stems from a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s needs and seeks to meet those needs in a holistic, compassionate way.
Before compiling a care plan for your loved one, carefully consider their physical, mental and emotional health, as well as their ability to complete everyday tasks and what they struggle with. Their comfort and safety around the home should be taken into account as well as their lifestyle, routine and preferences. Think too about your own situation and how caregiving fits into it.
These considerations will help you identify your senior friend or relative’s specific needs and how those needs can be met, both now and in future.
The benefits of a personalised care plan
1. More effective at addressing problems
A plan created to target specific difficulties in a person’s life is always going to be more effective at achieving its aims than a one-size-fits-all approach.
A personalised plan will aim to prioritise the needs of an individual, so those that are more pressing are addressed with the most urgency and attention.
2. Empowers the individual
A personalised care plan is most effective when the person receiving the care is involved in the decision-making process.
By involving your loved one in the creation of their own care plan, you’ll help them maintain a sense of independence and autonomy, which not only means the care plan is more likely to be effective, but has a positive effect on mental health and well-being.
3. Look at the bigger picture
By basing a plan on your loved one’s specific circumstances, you can take into account future changes, both in their health and your own life too.
The best care plans contain long-term consideration, along with regular assessments and adjustments as needed in the short-term. This helps alleviate anxiety around the future, for everyone involved.
4. Can lead to better health
By helping alleviate stress and fear of the future, a good care plan can improve a person’s mental health.
It can also help boost physical health too, because a well thought out plan helps with management of chronic conditions, regular administering of medication and a more proactive approach to healthcare, meaning problems can be spotted and addressed sooner.
5. Promotes collaboration between caregivers
With a personalised care plan in place, everyone involved in looking after your loved one has a guide they can use to inform their actions and on-the-spot decisions.
Implementing an effective plan means that everyone is on the same page, from healthcare professionals to family members. This leads to better communication and collaboration, and more compassionate and efficient care.
For help creating an effective person centred care plan for your elderly loved one, contact OxleyCare today.