Key Principles Of Person Centred Dementia Care
“ Promoting
quality care through the not-for-profit sector
”
STATEMENT OF BEST PRACTICE
Key principles of person-centred dementia care
“ Promoting quality care through the not-for-profit sector ”
Introduction: promoting person-centred care
The primary purpose of the National Care Forum
(NCF) is to promote quality outcomes for people who receive care and support through the notfor-profit sector. NCF members make a formal commitment through the chief executives to adhere to NCF’s underpinning values and promote quality for all people receiving care services.
This Statement of Best Practice has been prepared by the NCF Older People and Dementia
Care Committee to specify indicators of quality in relation to person-centred dementia care services. It is not intended to be definitive or to provide detailed information on dementia. The
Statement will be periodically reviewed. It is expected that a person-centred approach will be evidenced in the Statement of Purpose and
Service User Guides produced by NCF members.
Dementia is defined by the Mental Health
Foundation (2006) as:
“… a decline in mental ability which affects memory, thinking, problem solving, concentration and perception… Dementia is almost invariably a disease of ageing.”
A person-centred approach to providing care and support is as important for people who receive services (and their family or significant others) as it is to staff. The emphasis should always be on the person as an individual. In a personcentred approach the unique qualities of the individual as determined by their life history and experiences, likes and dislikes, are their defining characteristics. People with dementia have the same rights as citizens. This includes the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Care and support services should build on individual strengths and abilities to maximise and promote independence. Services should enable people to feel valued and safe. The inherent risks of life should be recognised.
quality care through the not-for-profit sector
”
STATEMENT OF BEST PRACTICE
Key principles of person-centred dementia care
“ Promoting quality care through the not-for-profit sector ”
Introduction: promoting person-centred care
The primary purpose of the National Care Forum
(NCF) is to promote quality outcomes for people who receive care and support through the notfor-profit sector. NCF members make a formal commitment through the chief executives to adhere to NCF’s underpinning values and promote quality for all people receiving care services.
This Statement of Best Practice has been prepared by the NCF Older People and Dementia
Care Committee to specify indicators of quality in relation to person-centred dementia care services. It is not intended to be definitive or to provide detailed information on dementia. The
Statement will be periodically reviewed. It is expected that a person-centred approach will be evidenced in the Statement of Purpose and
Service User Guides produced by NCF members.
Dementia is defined by the Mental Health
Foundation (2006) as:
“… a decline in mental ability which affects memory, thinking, problem solving, concentration and perception… Dementia is almost invariably a disease of ageing.”
A person-centred approach to providing care and support is as important for people who receive services (and their family or significant others) as it is to staff. The emphasis should always be on the person as an individual. In a personcentred approach the unique qualities of the individual as determined by their life history and experiences, likes and dislikes, are their defining characteristics. People with dementia have the same rights as citizens. This includes the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Care and support services should build on individual strengths and abilities to maximise and promote independence. Services should enable people to feel valued and safe. The inherent risks of life should be recognised.