The person centred approach to the care and support of individuals with dementia — iCan Qualifications Limited End-Point Assessment Health & Social Care Revision
The person-centred approach in dementia care prioritises the individual's unique preferences, life story, and abilities over a one-size-fits-all model of s
Topic Synopsis
The person-centred approach in dementia care prioritises the individual's unique preferences, life story, and abilities over a one-size-fits-all model of support. It aims to promote well-being by fostering meaningful engagement, preserving identity, and enabling choice and control in daily care. Carers are central to implementing this approach through empathetic relationships and flexible support, while collaboration with other professionals ensures a holistic network that addresses physical, emotional, and social needs.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Person-centred care: Tailoring support to the individual's preferences, history, and needs, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect.
- Types of dementia: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia, each with distinct symptoms and progression.
- Communication techniques: Using simple language, non-verbal cues, and validation therapy to engage with individuals who may have difficulty expressing themselves.
- Challenging behaviour: Understanding triggers such as pain, environment, or unmet needs, and using de-escalation strategies rather than restraint.
- Legal frameworks: The Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and the Care Act 2014, which protect individuals' rights.
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- In assessment responses, always connect person-centred strategies to tangible well-being outcomes, such as reduced anxiety or improved communication, to demonstrate application of theory.
- Use concrete, realistic scenarios to illustrate how a carer’s approach can shift from task-focused to person-centred, showing respect for identity and choice.
- When discussing the roles of others, explicitly map each professional’s input to the individual’s holistic needs and emphasise the importance of seamless collaboration and information sharing.
- Always anchor your answers in person-centred principles—explicitly mention values like choice, dignity, and respect when describing any care approach.
- Use specific, practical examples (e.g., 'a carer might use a memory book to aid conversation and reduce anxiety') to demonstrate application of knowledge.
- Show understanding of the bigger picture by explaining how different roles collaborate; for instance, how a carer might implement advice from an occupational therapist to improve mealtime independence.
- In written responses, structure your answer to first outline the concept, then give a concrete example, and finally reflect on the positive impact on the individual's well-being.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing person-centred care with simply asking the individual for day-to-day preferences, neglecting the deeper understanding of past routines, values, and cognitive fluctuations.
- Overlooking the significant role of informal carers (family/friends) and their need for support, thereby presenting an incomplete view of the care network.
- Failing to differentiate between the roles of various professionals, treating them as interchangeable rather than recognising their specific expertise and contributions.
- Confusing person-centred care with simply being kind or friendly, rather than understanding it as a holistic approach based on the individual's life history, preferences, and needs.
- Overlooking the importance of informal carers (family/friends) and assuming only formal care staff are involved in support.
- Failing to connect well-being approaches directly to dementia-related challenges, such as using generic activities instead of those tailored to cognitive abilities and past interests.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for demonstrating how to incorporate an individual’s life history and current abilities into a personalised care plan that actively enhances well-being.
- Award credit for explaining the complementary roles of formal and informal carers in maintaining person-centred care, with clear distinction between their responsibilities and boundaries.
- Award credit for identifying the contributions of at least two other professional roles (e.g., GP, occupational therapist, social worker) and how they coordinate with carers to deliver integrated support.
- Award credit for demonstrating knowledge of person-centred values (e.g., choice, dignity, respect) and how they underpin well-being approaches for individuals with dementia.
- Expect descriptions of specific methods to promote well-being, such as using reminiscence therapy or validation techniques, with clear links to individual preferences.
- Require explanation of the carer's role in supporting daily living activities while maintaining the individual's independence and sense of identity.
- Credit should be given for identifying and explaining the roles of other professionals (e.g., GP, social worker, occupational therapist) in a multidisciplinary team supporting the person with dementia.