Key Takeaways
- Needs, goals and preferences are the three pillars of person-centered care.
- Needs focus on what you must have to stay healthy and safe.
- Goals are the things you want to achieve or keep doing in your life.
- Preferences are your personal likes, dislikes, and daily routines.
- Providers must listen to you to make sure your care plan fits your identity.
Designing Your Care: The Meaning of Needs, Goals and Preferences
In the aged care system, the focus is on you. The phrase needs, goals and preferences describes the specific details that make you an individual. When you receive care, it should not be a standard service that is the same for everyone. Instead, it must be tailored to who you are. These three words help your care providers understand what you require, what you want to achieve, and how you like to live.
When a provider looks at your needs, goals and preferences, they are looking at your whole life. This includes your health, your happiness, and your history. By focusing on these areas, the aged care system can support your independence and dignity. You have the right to be heard, and your choices should lead the way in every decision about your care.
Defining Your Needs
Your needs are the things that are necessary for your health, safety, and well-being. These are often identified through a talk with a health professional or an assessment team. Needs can be broken down into different groups:
Clinical Needs
These are related to your medical health. They include:
- Help with managing illnesses or chronic conditions.
- Support with taking medicines correctly.
- Care for wounds or help with physical therapy.
- Support for your mental health and memory.
Personal Needs
These are the tasks you do every day to stay comfortable. They include:
- Help with bathing, dressing, or using the toilet.
- Support with moving around your home safely.
- Help with eating and drinking.
Social and Spiritual Needs
Your well-being is not just about your body. It is also about your mind and spirit. These needs include:
- Staying connected to your friends and family.
- Practicing your religion or following your beliefs.
- Feeling like you belong to a community.
Setting Your Goals
Goals are the things you want to happen in your life. They are about your future and your desires. While needs are about what you require now, goals are about what you want to achieve. Your goals can be big or small.
Health and Physical Goals
You might want to improve your strength so you can walk to the park. Or, you might have a goal to manage your pain better so you can sleep through the night. These goals focus on your physical abilities.
Independence Goals
Many people have a goal to stay in their own home for as long as possible. To do this, you might set a goal to learn how to use a new piece of equipment. Or, you might want to find a way to do your own grocery shopping again.
Social and Lifestyle Goals
You might want to learn a new hobby or get back into an old one. Perhaps you have a goal to attend a family wedding or a local community event. These goals help you stay active and happy.
Honoring Your Preferences
Preferences are your personal choices. They are the "how" of your care. Even if two people have the same needs, they will have different preferences. Your preferences show your personality and your history.
Daily Routines
You might be a morning person who likes to shower at 7:00 AM. Or, you might prefer to sleep in and have a quiet morning. Your care should respect these habits.
Food and Drink
What you eat is a big part of your life. Your preferences include the types of food you like, when you want to eat, and who you want to eat with. It also includes cultural or religious rules about food.
Cultural and Identity Preferences
Your background shapes how you want to be treated. This includes:
- The language you prefer to speak.
- How you like people to address you.
- Your choices regarding your gender identity or sexuality.
- Cultural traditions that are important to you.
The Assessment and Planning Process
To understand your needs, goals and preferences, providers use a process called assessment and planning. This is a series of conversations where you are the most important person.
The Assessment
During an assessment, a trained person will talk to you about your life. They will ask about what you can do for yourself and where you need help. They will also ask about your hobbies and what makes you happy. You can have a family member, a friend, or an advocate with you during this talk.
The Care Plan
The information from the assessment is used to create a care plan. This is a written document that explains:
- What services you will receive.
- Who will provide the care.
- When the care will happen.
- How your goals will be supported.
The care plan must be reviewed regularly. As your life changes, your needs, goals and preferences might change too. You can ask for a review of your plan at any time.
Your Rights and the Statement of Rights
You have the right to receive care that respects your individual identity. The aged care system has rules to make sure this happens. These rules are part of the Statement of Rights.
Under these rights, you can:
- Make your own choices about your care and your life.
- Be treated with dignity and respect.
- Live without fear of neglect or abuse.
- Have your culture and history recognized.
If a provider does not listen to your preferences, they are not meeting their obligations. You have the right to complain if you feel your choices are being ignored.
How Providers Support Your Choices
Providers have a responsibility to support your needs, goals and preferences. They do this by building a relationship with you. They should not just do things for you; they should work with you.
Communication
Providers must talk to you in a way you understand. If you speak a different language, they should provide help with translation. They should listen to your feedback and make changes when you ask.
Training Staff
Staff should be trained to respect different cultures and lifestyles. They should know how to support people with different needs, such as those living with dementia.
Flexibility
A good provider is flexible. If you want to change the time of your help one day because you have a visitor, the provider should try to make that happen. Flexibility is a sign that they value your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my goals change?
That is perfectly fine. It is normal for goals to change over time. You should tell your provider if you want to work toward something new. They should update your care plan to reflect your new direction.
Can my family decide my preferences for me?
You are the primary person who decides your preferences. If you have trouble communicating, your family or supporters can help explain what you like. However, the focus stays on what you would want.
What happens if a provider cannot meet a specific preference?
Sometimes, there might be a reason why a provider cannot meet a request, such as a safety risk. If this happens, the provider must talk to you about it. They should explain the situation clearly and work with you to find a different solution that still respects your wishes.
Do I have to share everything about my life?
You only need to share what you are comfortable with. However, the more your provider knows about your needs, goals and preferences, the better they can support you. Any information you share is protected by privacy laws.
Putting Your Personal Map Into Action
Think of your needs, goals and preferences as a map for your care. This map shows where you are now and where you want to go. It also shows the best path to get there based on your personal style. By speaking up and sharing these details, you take control of your journey in the aged care system.
Your care is about more than just staying safe: it is about living a life that feels like your own. When providers follow your lead, they help you maintain your identity and your joy. Always remember that you are the expert on your own life. Your voice is the most important tool in making sure your care plan is a perfect fit for you.
