Imagine living in a care setting where routines are rigid and choices are limited with mealtimes, activities and even daily schedules following a one-size-fits-all pattern. For many people, this can feel restrictive, leaving them unable to truly live as themselves.

This type of care often overlooks the individual behind the condition, leaving people feeling frustrated when care routines fail to meet their needs. This is where personalised care plans can introduce minor daily adjustments that are capable of transforming an individual's quality of life. These personalised care plans are not a luxury but an essential part of modern health and social care.

What is a personalised care plan?

A personalised care plan is a co-designed plan that is centred on what matters to an individual as well as their medical needs. This means that instead of offering generic physiotherapy, they will receive personalised exercise routines specifically tailored to their own hobbies or lifestyle.

This requires a holistic approach that brings together medical, emotional, and social needs, and should be co-produced with the individual and their family members. It is something that can be flexible and should be regularly reviewed to ensure it continues to meet all the requirements. The NHS framework for personalised care emphasises the importance of shared decision-making, independence and patient choice.

Core elements of personalised care

One of the most critical elements of a personalised care plan is the assessment of needs, goals and strengths. This should go far beyond any clinical diagnosis and should instead take a thorough look at the individual's lifestyle, aspirations, and routines to identify what brings them joy and create a plan that they can truly benefit from. It should also include tailored support for treatments and activities. This should consist of medication, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and social activities or therapies that align with their interests.

There needs to be coordination across different services where health professionals, carers, community organisations and families can all be aligned. This type of collaboration means that everyone involved in the individual's wellbeing is working towards the same goals, reducing confusion and ensuring that the person at the centre of care receives consistent and reliable support.

Every personalised care plan should be reviewed and updated regularly. Flexible plans can be adapted as conditions progress or preferences change to make sure they are always offering as much as possible. Shared decisions are an essential aspect of personalised care plans. This should not involve autocratic decisions but instead reflect a true partnership among all health professionals, as well as the patient and their family.

Benefits for quality of life

One of the most significant benefits of a personalised care plan is the difference it can make to physical health. There are often improved outcomes and fewer emergencies or hospital readmissions. This is because conditions can often be managed more effectively when a plan is designed to fit the patient's daily routine. It also has a significant impact on emotional wellbeing as residents can enjoy dignity, independence and control over their own lives. They are more likely to feel listened to, which can reduce any sense of frustration or anxiety. It can also enhance social connections, as tailored activities help promote friendships, reduce feelings of isolation, and encourage community involvement.

Personalised care plans are a much more efficient way of working. They ensure that there is less stress for the families and provide smoother communication, fewer crises and reduced duplicated services. When plans like this have been truly personalised, it is much easier to improve the well-being and outcomes of a resident because it has been tailored to their own individual situation.

Real-world UK applications

Personalised care plans are often used in the UK to support individuals with long-term conditions, such as diabetes and COPD. They are capable of tailoring diet and exercise plans, as well as monitoring routines and integrating them into the patient's lifestyle.

At Mariposa Care, for example, care plans are supported through the use of Digital Care Plans via Person-Centred Software, which enables staff to efficiently report, monitor, and update personalised plans in team time.

This digital approach is significant for dementia and elderly care, as it enhances communication between teams. For these patients, routine is essential, and it can be aligned with their individual habits to take into account their preferred wake times and favourite activities.

Cancer and palliative care patients also benefit from personalised care plans for symptom management alongside their emotional and family support. They are also used in social care and home support, as small, personalised touches, such as meal preferences or hobbies, can be integrated into their support and make a huge difference.

Challenges and solutions

Personalised care plans still present their own challenges, with one of the biggest being staff training and resource limitations. However, with the correct levels of investment, personalised care can reap significant benefits.

There is a risk that plans can become outdated if they are not regularly updated, so digital tools should be used to record, track, and share plans to ensure they remain flexible and are reviewed regularly.

In the current health and social care system, it can be challenging to co-ordinate care across multiple services, which means a cultural shift within the different organisations is needed in order to prioritise what matters most. Whilst some challenges do exist, it is clear that the long-term benefits of personalised care plans for individuals and services far outweigh the barriers.

Personalised care plans are not simply a buzzword; they are a tangible tool that can enhance the quality of life for patients by improving their health, supporting their dignity, and encouraging independence. They play a significant role in fostering a range of different relationships and are essential to modern healthcare rather than just being an added extra.

It is important that families, professionals and care seekers explore how personalised care can make a difference through the NHS framework, care providers or community services to help you or your loved one receive care and support that will benefit you the most.