What does it mean when aged care homes say they deliver “person centred care”? Is it just a buzzword, or is there something real and human happening behind those walls? At its best, person-centred care transforms aged care from a system that treats conditions into a place where every individual is seen, heard and celebrated for who they truly are.​

Person-centred care isn’t about managing someone’s needs on a checklist. It’s about Mrs. Thompson choosing to sleep in on Tuesday because she always has. It’s about Mr. Nguyen requesting pho for lunch because it connects him to his childhood in Vietnam. It’s about Rose deciding she’d like to help fold towels because keeping busy brings her joy.​

At CCH, person-centred care is woven into every single day, not as policy, but as culture.​

What Is Person-Centred Care?

In simple terms, person-centred care puts the older person at the absolute centre of everything. Their preferences, history, culture, values and goals guide how support is delivered. Instead of fitting residents into routines, care is tailored to fit each unique individual.​

The Australian Aged Care Quality Standards make it clear: the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people is the primary consideration in delivering care. Person-centred care respects each person as a unique individual, with their own story, their own rhythms and their own dreams for how they’d like to spend their days.​

This approach involves:

  • Partnering with older people in decisions about their care, not making decisions for them​

  • Respecting individuality, from cultural background and life experiences to personal quirks and daily routines​

  • Listening deeply to what matters most to each person and their families​

  • Empowering choice, whether that’s meal options, activity schedules or how someone spends their afternoon​

  • Treating people with dignity, respect and compassion in every interaction, big or small​

Why Person-Centred Care Changes Everything

Think about your own life. You probably wake up when it suits you, eat what you fancy, wear what feels right and decide how to spend your time. Person-centred care means aged care residents get to keep living that way too.​

Research shows that when care is truly person-centred, residents report higher satisfaction, stronger connections with staff, better mental health and an overall sense of purpose. Staff also benefit because person-centred environments are more collaborative, rewarding and joyful. Instead of rushing through tasks, carers have time to build genuine relationships and really get to know the people they’re supporting.​

When someone feels respected and heard, when their preferences are honoured and their story is valued, everything shifts. Loneliness fades. Anxiety softens. Life starts to feel like life again, not just “care”.​

What Person-Centred Care Looks Like at CCH

At CCH, person centred care begins the moment someone walks through the door. Every resident is treated as an individual with their own identity, preferences and goals, not just a room number or diagnosis.​

Getting to Know Each Person

Staff take time to learn each resident’s life story. Where did they grow up? What did they do for work? What hobbies light them up? Are there cultural or spiritual practices that matter deeply? This information shapes every aspect of care, from meal preferences to daily routines and activity planning.​

Respecting Daily Choices

Residents at CCH decide how they’d like their day to unfold. Some prefer quiet mornings with tea and a book. Others love joining exercise classes, art workshops or outings to local gardens. Mealtimes, shower schedules and social activities are all flexible, shaped by individual preferences rather than rigid institutional routines.​

Cultural Safety and Connection

CCH honours the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of every resident. Whether it’s celebrating cultural festivals, preparing traditional meals or supporting connections to community, culture and country (especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents), person-centred care respects identity at every level.​

Partnering with Families

Person-centred care includes families as true partners. CCH welcomes family input through Quality Care Advisory Meetings, regular updates and open communication. Families know their loved ones best, and their insights help shape care plans that truly reflect what matters most.​

Strengths-Based Approach

Instead of focusing only on what someone needs help with, CCH celebrates what residents can still do. If someone loves gardening, they’re encouraged to help tend the plants. If cooking brings joy, they’re invited into the kitchen. Person-centred care builds on strengths, not just limitations.​

The Four Pillars of Person-Centred Care

1. Dignity, Respect and Compassion

Every interaction at CCH is grounded in kindness. Staff speak to residents as equals, listen to their concerns and respond with patience and warmth.​

2. Personalised Care

No two residents receive identical support. Care plans are tailored to individual health needs, preferences and goals, reviewed regularly and adjusted as circumstances change.​

3. Coordinated Care

CCH’s multidisciplinary team works together to deliver seamless support. Nurses, carers, allied health professionals, GPs and pastoral care staff collaborate to ensure every aspect of a resident’s wellbeing is addressed.​

4. Empowerment and Enablement

Person-centred care empowers residents to remain as independent as possible, make their own decisions and stay connected to the things that bring meaning to their lives.​

Real Stories, Real Impact

When asked what they love about CCH, residents often mention the little things: a carer who remembers how they like their coffee, staff who laugh and chat during meals, the freedom to spend afternoons in the garden or join a game of cards. These moments matter because they reflect a culture where people are valued for who they are, not just what care they need.​

One resident shared, “I like the friendships with others and the care I receive from staff. I feel happy and content, and that makes my family happy too”. That’s the essence of person-centred care: happiness, connection and a sense of home.​

Why CCH’s Approach Stands Out

CCH has spent over fifty years building a culture where respect, choice and quality aren’t just words on a wall but lived values in every interaction. Staff receive ongoing training in person-centred care models, including the internationally recognised “Positive Approach to Care” for dementia support and the “Partners in Positive Ageing” program, which applies wellbeing science to aged care.​

This commitment has earned CCH a proud four-star rating and consistently high marks for resident satisfaction and quality of life. But more importantly, it’s earned the trust of South Australian families who know their loved ones will be treated with dignity, warmth and genuine care every single day.​

The Heart of It All

Person-centred care is about seeing the whole person, not just the care plan. It’s about mornings filled with choice, afternoons rich with purpose and evenings spent surrounded by friendship and warmth. It’s about older persons living their best possible lives, supported by people who truly care.​

At CCH, person-centred care isn’t a program, it’s who we are. And every resident deserves nothing less.