Culture change towards person-centred care in Canada

Culture change towards person-centred care: Culture change towards person-centred care in Canada


Person-centred care of people with dementia living in care homes: Executive summary

The Alzheimer Society believes that people with dementia have the right to enjoy the highest possible quality of life and quality of care. The Society believes that each person with dementia is an individual, regardless of the stage of the disease, and that care should be individually tailored to their unique needs, interests, habits and desires.

To achieve this goal, the Alzheimer Society of Canada looked for evidence-based research that shows how to successfully implement person-centred programs and practices in long-term care homes. The result of this research is the Guidelines for care: Person-centred care of people with dementia living in care homes framework, which includes the input of peop

Guidelines for care

The Guidelines for care framework consists of the following sections:

• What does a person-centred philosophy mean?

Our most important objective is to ensure that a person-centred philosophy of care is well understood and put into practice in care homes to improve the quality of care and quality of life for people with dementia. Dignified care must become part of the inherent culture of every long-term care home.

• What does person-centred care look like in a care home?

Person-centred care is a philosophy that recognizes that individuals have unique values, personal history and personality and that each person has an equal right to dignity, respect, and to participate fully in his environment. Person-centred care should be incorporated into all aspects of care, regardless of the resident’s condition or stage of the disease. A person-centred care home values partnerships among care home staff, people with dementia, and family members that will lead to the best outcomes and enhance the quality of life and quality of care of people with the disease. Services and supports are designed and delivered in a way that is integrated, collaborative, and mutually respectful of all persons involved, including the person with dementia, family members, caregivers and staff.
le with dementia, family caregivers, researchers, educators, long-term care home staff, and various stakeholders.
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Alzheimer Society of Canada
20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor,
Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1K8
Tel: 416-488-8772 Fax: 416-322-6656
Toll-free: 1-800-616-8816
Email: info@alzheimer.ca