What is Personalised Care Planning?
When it comes to finding the right care home for a loved one, one of the most important things to consider is whether the care truly fits the person. Everyone has their own routines, preferences and personality, and good care should always reflect that. That’s where person-centred care and personalised care planning play such an important role.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, personalised care is about really getting to know each resident. It’s about listening carefully to their needs, their wishes and the little things that make them feel at home. Effective relationships between care staff and residents are crucial for understanding and meeting individual needs. Whether someone prefers a cup of tea first thing, enjoys a walk after lunch, or likes their favourite radio station on in the background, these details matter.
At its heart, personalised care planning means putting the individual first. It gives residents the confidence that they’ll be supported in a way that feels familiar, respectful and kind—and it gives families peace of mind that their loved one is truly being cared for as an individual.
Creating a Personalised Care Plan
Personalised care planning is a way of placing the individual at the centre of their own health care. It takes into account everything from health needs and medication to daily routines, personal interests and long-held habits. Personalised care plans are co-produced with the individual and their family. No two people are the same, and that’s why individual care plans are so important—they ensure that support is tailored, relevant and rooted in real understanding. The right knowledge among staff is crucial to create effective care plans that meet individual health and care needs.
This approach is always collaborative. Care teams work closely with residents themselves, as well as with families and loved ones, to build a clear picture of what matters most to the person. Personalised care planning is especially important for managing long-term conditions. It’s a resident-led process, meaning we take the time to listen, learn and adjust as things change over time. From how someone likes their tea to how they wish to be supported with personal care, every detail helps shape a plan that feels right for them. This collaborative effort is a prime example of shared decision-making, enhancing the partnership between clinicians and patients.
Understanding Health Conditions
Understanding health conditions is crucial for providing effective care and support. Health conditions can significantly impact a person’s physical and mental health and overall wellbeing. For instance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and heart disease are examples of long-term health conditions that require ongoing management and support.
Personalised care planning is essential for people with long-term health conditions, as it enables them to take an active role in managing their health and wellbeing. Care planning involves identifying the person’s health and wellbeing needs and personal goals and preferences. A care plan should be developed in collaboration with the person, their family, and healthcare professionals to ensure that it is person-centred and effective.
The care planning process should involve shared decision-making, where the person is fully involved in decisions about their care and support. This approach enables people to make informed choices about their care and support, and to take control of their health and wellbeing. By understanding and addressing individual health conditions, we can provide support that truly makes a difference in a person’s life.
The Benefits of a Tailored Approach
A tailored approach helps people feel valued, understood and in control of their own lives—even as their needs change. It’s about recognising the individual behind the care plan and supporting them in a natural and respectful way. This approach can lead to better health outcomes by improving health indicators and enhancing patients’ ability to self-manage their conditions.
One of the most important benefits of personalised care planning is that it helps to protect a person’s dignity and independence. Communities play a crucial role in supporting personalised care planning. By understanding how someone likes to go about their day, what brings them comfort, and how they wish to be supported, care teams can help them maintain familiar routines and choices. Personal health budgets can help individuals manage their health needs. This can be especially reassuring for those living with memory loss or long-term health conditions.
Tailored care also involves providing appropriate support options and strengthening relationships between residents and staff. When carers take the time to learn about someone’s background, preferences and personality, trust begins to grow and people feel safe and at home.
For families, knowing that their loved one is being cared for in a way that truly reflects who they are brings peace of mind. Whether it’s a quiet afternoon spent listening to a favourite song or gentle encouragement with a morning routine, these thoughtful touches show a care home really understands the person.
Care and Support Services
Care and support services are vital in enabling people to live independently and manage their health and wellbeing. These services may include medical care, social care, and support with daily living tasks, such as washing, dressing, and eating. Respite care, dementia care, and residential care are examples of care and support services that can provide people with a break from their usual care arrangements.
Care and support services should be person-centred, focusing on the individual’s needs, preferences, and goals. The support planning process should involve the person, their family, and healthcare professionals to ensure that the care and support provided is effective and meets the person’s needs. Local authorities, healthcare providers, and voluntary organisations may provide care and support services, and it is essential to ensure that these services are coordinated and effective.
Care and support services can positively impact people’s health and wellbeing outcomes, enabling them to live fulfilling lives and remain independent. By providing compassionate care and support, services can help people feel safe, supported, and empowered to manage their health and wellbeing.
How We Develop Individual Care Plans
Creating an individual care plan begins with taking the time to understand the person. It’s about learning who they are, what matters to them, and how they’d like to be supported day to day. Care plans should consider the individual's whole life context. The support planning process is crucial in ensuring that care adapts to the individual’s changing needs. No matter how small, every detail helps shape care that feels right and reassuring.
When a new resident joins us, we sit down with them and their loved ones to talk through their preferences, routines, health needs and life story. This often includes things like what time they like to get up, favourite hobbies or pastimes, personal beliefs, and the type of support needs they feel most comfortable with. These conversations are never rushed. We understand that trust takes time, and we’re here to listen every step of the way.
Families play a key role in this process, too. They often help us piece together the little details that make all the difference—from memories of family holidays to favourite meals or songs that bring comfort. This collaborative approach helps ensure each care plan reflects the whole person, not just their physical needs. This ensures a holistic approach in the planning and delivering health and social care services, prioritising the individual’s care and support. Our team reviews and updates support plans regularly to make sure they continue to match the residents’ needs and preferences.
Physical Health and Wellbeing
Physical health and wellbeing are essential aspects of overall health and wellbeing. Regular exercise, healthy eating, and not smoking can help maintain physical health and wellbeing. People with long-term health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, may need to take additional steps to manage their physical health and wellbeing.
Care planning and support planning can help people identify their physical health and wellbeing needs and develop strategies to meet them. Healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses, can provide people with information and advice on maintaining physical health and wellbeing. Community-based services, such as exercise classes and healthy eating programmes, can also provide people with opportunities to improve their physical health and wellbeing.
By prioritising physical health and wellbeing, people can reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases and improve their overall quality of life. Physical health and wellbeing are closely linked to mental health and wellbeing, and it is essential to address both aspects of health to achieve overall wellbeing.
Evolving With the Person
One of the most important parts of personalised care planning is that it’s never static. New models of care are essential for adapting to changing needs. People’s needs can change, sometimes gradually and sometimes more quickly, and a good care plan will always adapt alongside them. This flexibility helps ensure every resident continues to feel supported, understood and safe—no matter where they are in their journey. However, implementing this flexibility in everyday practice remains a challenge.
As time goes on, someone might need a little more help getting around, support with their memory, or simply a change in routine to match how they’re feeling. By reviewing individual care plans regularly, we can spot these changes early and respond thoughtfully and compassionately. Problem-solving is key to addressing changes in residents' needs. It’s not about ticking boxes—it’s about noticing the small things and making adjustments that truly make a difference.
The active involvement of residents in their care decisions is crucial. Residents should feel a sense of control and confidence in their care. Residents are encouraged to be involved in decisions about their care wherever possible, and families are kept informed and included at every step. That ongoing, open dialogue helps ensure care remains effective and genuinely personal.
Whether it’s a shift in medication, new preferences around meals, or more time needed for rest and quiet, our approach is always the same: care that adapts as needs change, without ever losing sight of the individual. Supporting people in their care decisions is crucial for effective care management. This approach is essential for involving residents in their own care management and ensuring their needs are met comprehensively.
Choosing a Home That Listens
When you’re looking for the right care home for a loved one, it’s natural to want more than just a comfortable setting—you want to know they’ll be truly understood. Families can seek further information to make informed decisions. Personalised care planning offers that reassurance. Primary care settings play a crucial role in personalised care planning. It shows that the care home takes the time to get to know each resident, respects their choices, and adjusts support as their needs change. This approach integrates both health and care, ensuring a holistic experience.
At Ashlea Court Care Home, we believe that great care starts with listening. Gathering relevant information is essential for creating effective care plans. We take pride in creating individual care plans that reflect the unique needs, preferences and personalities of our residents. Our dedicated professionals focus on building trust, understanding what matters most to them, and supporting them in a way that feels both familiar and respectful. The focus is on adult participants when assessing care interventions. We aim to enable people to make informed choices about their care and build confidence in managing their health conditions.
If you’d like to find out more about how we tailor our care to each resident, or to arrange a visit to see Ashlea Court for yourself, we’d be delighted to welcome you.