Culture Change and Person-Centered Care in Long-Term Care Facilities

Culture change in long-term care facilities refers to a fundamental transformation of organisational values, physical environments and daily routines to support autonomy, dignity and holistic wellbeing. Rooted in the ethos of person-centred care, this movement shifts the focus from task-oriented delivery to partnerships that honour residents’ individual preferences, life histories and social connections. Key elements include flexible meal and activity schedules, homelike design features, empowerment of frontline staff and active involvement of family members in decision-making. Evidence shows that such innovations can reduce behavioural symptoms among residents with cognitive impairment, enhance quality of life and improve job satisfaction for care staff. Globally, providers are adapting these principles across diverse regulatory and funding contexts, highlighting both the challenges of large-scale implementation and the potential for sustainable improvements in resident experience and clinical outcomes.

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Culture Change and Person-Centered Care in Long-Term Care Facilities publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in culture change and person-centered care in long-term care facilities across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Person-centred care: An approach that organises service delivery around the unique needs, preferences and life stories of each resident, promoting autonomy and respect.

Culture change: A systemic process of reshaping organisational practices, physical settings and staff roles to support resident empowerment and homelike environments.

Staff empowerment: Strategies that equip frontline workers with authority, training and resources to make decisions and tailor care to individual residents.

Comprehensive Care Plan: An interdisciplinary document that integrates assessment findings into a personalised roadmap for ongoing care and goal-setting.

References

1. Provincial policies affecting resident quality of life in Canadian residential long-term care. BMC Geriatrics (2023).
2. What do families value most about the care home where their older adult relatives live?. Frontiers in Public Health (2024).
3. Resident and informal caregiver involvement in medication-related decision-making and the medicines’ pathway in nursing homes: experiences and perceived opportunities of healthcare professionals. BMC Geriatrics (2022).