Quick guide to effective care planning with older care home residents,

Care plans are the foundation of high-quality, person-centred care in older adult care homes.At their best, they are living documents that place the person at the heart of care andsupport—empowering an individual to live the fullest and most meaningful life possible,whatever their circumstances. A good care plan supports continuity of care, enhances well-being, and reflects each person’s unique values, preferences, goals, and needs.This guide is based on extensive research, including a review of care planning interventions,interviews with care home staff, consultations with family members, and feedback from morethan 100 care professionals across England.This guide aims to support care home staff to develop care plans that enhance a person’squality of life. Many of the principles come from how care homes are already approachingcare planning, while others reflect how care staff would like to conduct care planning. Youmay find that your approach to care planning already aligns with many of the principlesoutlined here.An extended version of this guide, which provides more information, can be found here. By embracing these key principles, care providers can make care planning a meaningful andinclusive process—one that respects individual wishes, enhances well-being and quality oflife, and empowers individuals to lead fulfilling lives.