Our Person-Centred Care philosophy is at the heart of everything Karuna Care London plans to do. We believe that care should be built around the individual, not the other way around. This means each resident’s own preferences, history, and aspirations will lead the planning and delivery of support – often summed up as “nothing about me without me.” In practice, a person-centred approach means treating every resident as a unique individual with their own life story, choices, and values. We don’t just see a care need; we see a person first. By embedding this ethos from the outset, we aim to create a home where residents feel empowered, respected, and truly heard. All staff will be trained in person-centred practices so that our culture consistently reflects compassion, dignity, and respect in every interaction.
Tailored Care Planning:
Central to our person-centred approach is the creation of a deeply personalised care plan for each resident. Before services commence for an individual, we will spend time getting to know them as a person – their life history, what they enjoy, who and what matters most to them, and how they envision a good day. This assessment isn’t just a checklist of health conditions; it’s a conversation about the person’s preferences and aspirations. We’ll ask about their daily routines, any cultural or religious practices they observe, and their personal goals etc. All these details will be incorporated so that “their personal history, individual preferences, interests and aspirations” are reflected in the care plan
For example, if a resident used to be an avid gardener, we will aim to continue that interest by providing garden access or plant care activities.
Empowering Choice and Autonomy:
A cornerstone of person-centred care is empowering residents to make their own choices. In our services, adults in our care will be encouraged and supported to direct their daily lives as much as possible. This means residents will have a say in all decisions big and small: how they want to spend their day, what clothes they prefer to wear, what and when they eat, and what activities they engage in. Staff will offer options rather than dictate routines. If someone wants to take a walk outside in the afternoon or would rather watch their favourite TV programme, we will respect and facilitate those choices. We recognise that maintaining a sense of control is essential for an individual’s dignity and self-worth. Our role is to enable, not to dominate. Through this empowering approach, residents can continue to live life on their own terms, supported rather than controlled. We will also encourage residents to give feedback about the service and any changes they’d like – creating a culture where their voice shapes how the home is run. In essence, “people have as much choice and control as possible” in our care setting
Holistic Well-Being Focus:
Karuna Care London’s person-centred approach looks beyond basic care tasks to nurture the whole person. We are committed to supporting not just residents’ physical health, but also their emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Emotional support and companionship are key aspects – our staff will take time to sit and chat with residents, learn about their feelings, and provide comfort or encouragement during difficult moments. We recognise that moving into care or accepting help can be emotionally challenging; therefore, building trusting relationships is paramount. Each resident may have a designated key worker – a staff member who takes a special interest in their welfare, advocates for their needs, and checks in regularly to ensure they are content. For mental stimulation and a sense of purpose, we will offer activities that are meaningful to the individual: be it listening to their favourite music, engaging in spiritual or religious practices if they wish, doing puzzles to keep the mind active, or involving them in everyday tasks like folding laundry or setting the table if they enjoy it. We also value social connections; as described in our services, we’ll facilitate social interaction in ways that suit each person (some may love group activities, others may prefer one-on-one time – we will tailor accordingly.
Dignity, Respect, and Meaningful Engagement:
We will foster a culture where every resident is treated with the utmost dignity and respect at all times. This is non-negotiable and is reinforced through training, policies, and daily practice. Staff will respect privacy (e.g. keeping personal information confidential, knocking on doors, allowing alone time as desired) and interact with residents in a kind, patient, and compassionate manner. We will avoid patronising language or treating adults like children – instead, we honour their adulthood, life experience, and wisdom. Part of respect is also respecting diversity: our person-centred care will be sensitive to each individual’s background, culture, religion, gender identity, and other characteristics. For example, if a resident has specific cultural dietary preferences or times of prayer, we will ensure these are facilitated. Meaningful engagement is about more than just keeping busy; it’s about ensuring each resident finds meaning and joy in daily life. We will strive to engage residents in ways that value their identity – such as reminiscing about their achievements, involving them in decisions about the home (maybe forming a resident committee or holding regular meetings where they can suggest ideas), and celebrating their personal milestones. Our caregivers will be encouraged to take those extra moments to chat, share a laugh, or listen to a story from a resident’s past – strengthening the human connection that is at the core of caring. By celebrating individuality in this way, we aim for residents to feel genuinely valued. When care is person-centred, residents aren’t just recipients of care, but active participants in a community – each with a role, whether it’s being the resident who leads a book club, tends the garden, or simply has their unique style that everyone knows. We want our future care home to feel like a true home where personalities shine and everyone is treated with the dignity they deserve.