This informal CPD article, ‘What Does Person-Centred Care Mean in Everyday Practice?’ was provided by Practice-Based Learning Hub, who develops professional training resources for individuals working in health, care, and support roles.
Person-centred care is an important idea in today’s health and social care. You’ll see it mentioned in lots of guidelines and policies, but what it really looks like day-to-day can feel a bit unclear. For people working in care or supporting someone with health needs, it’s useful to know what person-centred care actually means in real life.
What is person centred care?
At its heart, person-centred care means making sure the person is at the centre of every decision and conversation. It’s about respecting what matters to them—their values, their choices, and their dignity. The World Health Organization talks about helping people take charge of their own health, not just doing things ‘to’ them. In other words, care isn’t something given to someone—it’s something you work out together.
In practice, person-centred care starts with seeing the person, not just their illness or care needs. Everyone has their own story and preferences, and these should guide how care is provided. Even something simple, like helping with washing, can be done in a way that respects someone’s dignity. Explaining what you’re doing, asking before you start, and making sure the person is comfortable—these small details really matter.
The importance of communication
Good communication is a big part of person-centred care. It’s not just about telling someone information—it’s about listening, too, and really connecting. People giving care need to notice not only what’s said, but also things like facial expressions or body language. This is especially true when someone has trouble speaking or understanding. It’s important to adjust how you communicate to fit the person and always involve them in decisions as much as possible.
Giving people choice
Letting people make choices and be involved in their own care is another key part of person-centred care. Even if someone needs a lot of help, they can still decide things like what to wear, when to have a meal, or how to spend their time. These choices may look small, but they help people feel in control and valued. Studies show that having a say in your own care can improve well-being, especially for older adults or people in long-term care.
Responding to change
It’s also important for carers to pay attention to changes in how someone is feeling or acting. Small changes—like a different mood or behaviour—can show if something’s wrong or if the person needs something. By noticing and responding to these changes, carers can adjust what they do to better support the person. This fits with advice from the International Council of Nurses, which says care should always be safe, personal, and responsive.
Respect and dignity
Respect and dignity are at the heart of person-centred care. This means respecting privacy, keeping things confidential, and always treating people with kindness. It also means recognising that everyone is different—what feels respectful to one person might feel different to someone else. Carers need to be sensitive and ready to adapt how they work.
Final thoughts
In the end, person-centred care isn’t about one thing you do—it’s about the overall approach, every day. You see it in the way carers talk, listen, notice things, and respond. It shows up in both simple routines and tricky situations. While policies and training can help, it’s really the day-to-day actions of carers that make person-centred care happen.
To sum up, person-centred care means seeing the whole person and shaping care around what matters to them. It’s about good communication, paying attention, supporting choice, and treating everyone with respect. By doing these things in daily life, carers can make care more meaningful and positive for the people they support.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from by Practice-Based Learning Hub, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
References:
World Health Organization (2015). WHO global strategy on people-centred and integrated health services: https://www.afro.who.int/sites/default/files/2017-07/who-global-strategy-on-pcihs-main-document_final.pdf
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2012/updated). Patient experience in adult NHS services: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg138
International Council of Nurses (2021). The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses: https://www.icn.ch/sites/default/files/2023-06/ICN_Code-of-Ethics_EN_Web.pdf
Virginia Henderson (1966). The Nature of Nursing: https://nursology.net/nurse-theories/the-nature-of-nursing/
