Meaningful Life

​Person-centered care is a philosophy that changes the focus of care giving from accomplishing tasks to fulfilling the needs of the elder. As a result, the personal preferences of elders become as important as providing the services and support they need. Traditionally, high quality clinical care is seen as the pinnacle focus of a long-term care provider. With person-centered care, high quality clinical care remains critically important, but quality of life is valued as equally important. 

Insert chart showing differences between institutional and home environments


Benefits of person-centered culture:

• Elders and families have enhanced satisfaction and overall improved experience.  Elders report improvement in privacy, dignity, meaningful activity, relationships, autonomy, food enjoyment and emotional well-being.
• Elders lead a more purposeful life.  Elders maintain self-care abilities longer with fewer experiencing a decline in Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Fewer elders experience depression and fewer are bed-fast.
• Elders and families are empowered and more in control.  Families are more satisfied with meals, housekeeping, physical environment, privacy, autonomy and healthcare.
• Positive impact on elder’s overall health outcomes (fewer hospitalizations, declines, and faster healing)
• Staff feel confident and satisfied about the care they provide which creates a more positive work environment.  Staff report higher job satisfaction and increased likelihood of remaining in their jobs.

There are many ways to achieve a culture that promotes person centered care.  We work closely with our partners at Green House as well as the PEAK program and work to connect each that we serve with what works best for their situation.  

Link to Greenhouse website  https://www.thegreenhouseproject.org/
Link to PEAK website.  https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/aging/outreach/peak20/