Unit 247 outcomes assessment and evaluation

¶ … Active Support

"Person-centred care is underpinned by values of respect for persons, individual right to self-determination, mutual respect, and understanding (McCormack, Dewing, & McCance, 2011). Sometimes providing person-centered care demands facilitating the independence of patients. At other times it may require the nurse or another caregiver to step in provide additional assistance. Regardless, the ultimate intention of person-centered support is to maximize the autonomy of the individual. In contrast to the 'hotel model' of care in which everything is done for the patient (even actions he or he could conceivably perform) the person-centered model requires individualized knowledge of the capabilities of each person whom the nurse is trying to serve and invests a sense of competence and choice in the heart of patient.

The level of autonomy may differ from patient to patient, depending on psychological and physical limitations, but the emotional and social goals are always the same. In nursing homes: "the attention paid to overt demonstrations of being more person-centred, such as language, team-work, reducing ritual and routine, facilitating more choice, intentionality, and the development of meaningful relationships, have had a positive impact on resident experience" (McCormack, Dewing, & McCance, 2011). Particularly in a nursing home setting, many of the activities can take on a routine and mechanistic quality: a person-centered philosophy reduces this tendency. Patient's moods are improved when the staff greets them by name and explains why they are performing specific actions and the staff benefits for a more human and interactive relationship with residents.

Outcome 2

Positive interactions mean that the individual gains a sense of accomplishment from the different tasks and capabilities he or she performs. In these interactions, there must be reciprocity and mutual regard by the caregiver for the person whom he or she is caring; a sense of respect; and a mutual desire to achieve goals. According to one elderly resident of a facility which had chosen to implement person-centered care: "The hopelessness has been taken away from me. You have got reassurance wherever you go with staff and patients & #8230; and you seem to have a purpose" (McCormack, Dewing, & McCance, 2011).