Why you should read this article:

•

To understand how person-centred care includes the whole person, including their values, beliefs and aspirations

•

To familiarise yourself with the need for person-centred care in the treatment of older people

•

To find out how person-centred profiles of older people can strengthen relationships with staff

Although person-centred care represents the gold standard of nursing practice, there are still instances of care that fail to recognise patients as individuals. Person-centred care depends on the nurse’s knowledge of the whole person, including their values, beliefs and aspirations.

This article describes a quality improvement project that sought to develop patient profiles based on the concept of ‘five things about me’, thereby contributing to person-centred care for older people on a medical ward. The effect on staff, older people and their families was assessed through questionnaires, and group and individual discussions. During the project period, 37 person-centred profiles were completed from 52 eligible patients. Ward staff reported increased confidence when delivering person-centred care and older people and their family members confirmed improvements in care delivery and strengthened relationships with staff.