Person-centered care– what does it actually mean?
At its heart, person-centered care means remembering that a person is more than their diagnosis, age, care needs, or daily routine.
It’s asking, “What matters to you?”—not simply, “What do you need help with?”
For older adults, caregivers and families supporting someone they love, this distinction can make a meaningful difference. Care becomes less about managing a list of tasks and more about supporting a life that still has purpose, preferences, relationships, and possibilities.
Care for the person—not just the needs
Imagine two people who both need help getting dressed in the morning.
A task-focused approach might be: Get them dressed as efficiently as possible.
A person-centered approach asks additional questions:
- What clothes does this person like to wear?
- Do they prefer to get dressed before breakfast or afterward?
- Can they do part of the process independently?
- What makes them feel comfortable, confident, or like themselves?
- Are there cultural, spiritual, or personal preferences we should honor?
The practical task hasn’t changed. The experience has.
Person-centered care recognizes that independence isn’t always about doing everything alone. Sometimes it’s about having choices, being heard, and participating in decisions—even when someone needs substantial assistance.
Start with “What matters to you?”
One of the simplest ways to practice person-centered care is to have better conversations.
Instead of asking only: “What do you need?”
Try asking: “What matters most to you right now?”
The answer might be surprisingly ordinary.
Maybe it’s having coffee on the porch every morning. Calling a grandchild on Sunday. Going to church. Listening to favorite music. Gardening. Staying in a beloved home. Having lunch with friends. Choosing what to wear. Taking a daily walk. Celebrating a birthday with the whole family.
These things can easily get pushed aside when appointments, medications, meals, transportation, and safety concerns take center stage.
Yet the small things are often what make a day feel like your own.
Intentional living doesn’t require a perfect plan
Intentional living simply means making thoughtful choices about how we spend our time, energy, relationships, and attention. It doesn’t require a major life overhaul.
Try this simple exercise together:
- Name what matters.
Choose three things that bring meaning, comfort, connection, or joy.
- Identify what’s getting in the way.
Is it transportation? Fatigue? Mobility? Technology? A lack of companionship? Too many appointments?
- Find one small adjustment.
Could a family member provide transportation once a week? Could a favorite activity be adapted rather than abandoned? Could errands be combined to create more time for something enjoyable?
- Revisit the plan.
Needs and preferences change. What matters today may not be what matters six months from now.
Person-centered care isn’t a one-time questionnaire. It’s an ongoing conversation.
Families and caregivers matter, too
Supporting someone you love can create a difficult tension: You want to help, but you also want to respect their independence.
One useful question is: “Would you like help with that, or would you like me to stay nearby?”
That small shift can preserve choice while still offering support.
Caregivers also need person-centered care themselves. Your needs, boundaries, relationships, rest, and interests matter. Supporting someone else shouldn’t require you to disappear from your own life.
When possible, build care around shared strengths. Maybe one family member handles transportation, another manages paperwork, and another makes regular social visits. Professional caregivers, neighbors, faith communities, and friends can also become part of a broader support network.
Look beyond the care plan
A care plan can tell us what someone needs medically or functionally. But a life plan asks a different question: What kind of life does this person want to keep living?
That might include goals such as:
- Staying connected with friends.
- Remaining involved in a favorite hobby.
- Maintaining spiritual or cultural practices.
- Continuing to make personal decisions.
- Spending more time outdoors.
- Reconnecting with family.
- Learning something new.
- Contributing through volunteering, mentoring, or helping others.
These goals deserve attention alongside medical appointments and safety plans.
A practical place to begin
If you’re an older adult, caregiver, or loved one, consider having a “What Matters” conversation this week.
Ask: “What is one thing that would make your everyday life better right now?”
Then listen without immediately solving the problem.
Sometimes the answer will point toward a practical change. Sometimes it will reveal a deeper concern. And sometimes, simply being asked—and genuinely heard—can be meaningful.
For additional guidance, explore resources from organizations such as the National Institute on Aging, Administration for Community Living, and AARP, which offer information on aging, caregiving, independence, and planning for the future. And of course, continue to follow the Abundant Focus Blog Series.
Person-centered care, really, isn’t a complicated philosophy.
It’s a commitment to seeing the whole person.
Not just what they need help with, but who they are.
Not just how to keep them safe, but what makes life worth living.
Not just what happens to them, but what choices remain theirs to make.
And sometimes, intentional living begins with one simple question: “What matters to you?”
Find a United Church Homes senior living community near you!
by: Dale Brown– The Trinity Community at Beavercreek, Social Services Designee
Stay Connected and Live Life Abundantly
At United Church Homes and our Center for Abundant Aging, we believe everyone deserves to live a life filled with purpose, connection, and well‑being. Stay informed, inspired, and engaged with resources that support aging abundantly—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
About the Author: UCH Team Master
View all articles by:
