Relationship Centred Care
The concept of Relationship Centred Care was developed in America and has evolved from Person Centred Care. Person Centred Care has been embraced as a model of best practice in delivery of dementia care since the 1980’s. It has led the way for development of new approaches to deliver care to older people in a range of environments.
Relationship Centred Care has taken the model of care one step further with the recognition and belief that to understand a person and to deliver person centred care we need to be able to understand the person’s relationships with those people, and the environment around him or her. This model, while respecting and valuing the uniqueness of each individual, also places importance on their interconnectedness and partnerships with others.
It is not just the relationship between staff and a resident that is important but also those relationships with family members, other care staff and other professionals involved in some way in the delivery of care to the resident. It even extends out to the relationship with the wider community.
Relationship Centred Care reflects the importance of interactions among people and recognises that these provide the foundation of any therapeutic care activity.
On a world scale this concept is still emerging. For Freemasons Homes it is a model that is going to influence and direct the changes that are in progress as we moved toward a centre of excellence in the delivery of Quality Dementia Care.
Some of the major components of the model that will be implemented are:
- The model requires teamwork, effective communication and regular family, resident and staff meetings.
- The three key elements of the model are validation of present reality, lowered stress and positive stimulus that is determined by observation in the care environment
- Continuity of care is essential; therefore all staff must follow the same care plan and observations
- Relationship centred care means finding meaning in daily activity and lifestyle
- The resident always comes first in the delivery of care
- The resident living with dementia exists in a family and community and this context must be enhanced as much as possible.
- A key component of the care model is, and will continue to be, the involvement of families and they will be supported and encouraged to participate in many care decisions and activities.
- Residents will be encouraged to participate in all activities within the unit including preparation of meals/snacks, making of beds, dusting etc. Staff will join residents at meal times.
- Staff will provide flexible care focusing on residents’ needs and wishes rather than routine.
- Activities will occur daily and spontaneously. Staff will be encouraged to participate and also initiate activity whenever it is needed eg. evenings.
- Residents’ will play a key role in choice of activity.
Alzheimer’s Australia (Tas)
