What are the four core principles of person-centred care?

What is person-centred care?

When someone needs care, it’s not just about looking after their health or helping them with daily tasks. It’s about understanding who they are as a person – their likes, dislikes, needs, and wishes. That’s what person-centred care means. It puts the person at the centre of everything. It means seeing people not just as patients or service users, but as individuals with their own stories, goals, and preferences.

At OneCall24Healthcare, we believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity, kindness, and respect. We don’t just ask, “What is the matter?” – we ask, “What matters to you?” That small change makes a big difference.

In this blog, we will talk about the four main principles of person-centred care. These principles help guide the way we deliver care to make it truly personal, respectful, and empowering.

Have you ever imagined receiving care from someone who doesn’t listen to you, doesn’t ask your opinion, and doesn’t explain what they’re doing? That wouldn’t feel right, would it?

Now imagine care where someone asks how you like your tea, checks how you’re feeling, explains every step of what they’re doing, and gives you choices. You feel seen, heard, and more valued.

That’s the difference person-centred care makes. It helps people feel more comfortable, safe, and respected and improves their overall well-being, both physically and emotionally.

The four core principles of person-centred care help carers and healthcare professionals deliver better, more meaningful care. Let’s look at each one in detail.

Why person-centred care matters?

1. Respecting people’s values and putting them at the centre of care

The first and most important principle is respect. Every person is unique. They have their own beliefs, traditions, habits, and preferences. Good care should always take these into account.

Person-centred care starts by asking the person what they want and then shaping the care around that. It’s not about doing things for them – it’s about doing things with them, in a way that feels right to them.

What this should look like in real life:

Asking someone how they like to be addressed (e.g., Mr Smith, or just Smith).
Respecting cultural or religious practices, such as food preferences or prayer times.
Letting someone choose what clothes to wear or what time they want to wake up.
Supporting someone to continue hobbies or routines that make them happy.

At OneCall24Healthcare, we always take the time to learn about the person behind the care plan. We don’t assume. We ask, we listen, and we adapt.

2. Coordinating care around the person’s needs

The second principle is about coordinated care. People often have different care needs, they might see a General Practitioner, receive home care, visit the hospital, or take medicines. It’s important that all these services work together in a smooth and connected way.

Most importantly, the person receiving care should be involved in all decisions. They should know what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what choices they have.

When care is well coordinated, the person doesn’t feel lost or confused. They feel supported, informed, and in control.

What this should look like in real life:

Making sure hospital discharge is planned carefully, with support at home.
Involving family members or loved ones in care planning (if the person wants that).
Helping someone understand their medications and who to contact if there’s an emergency.
Ensuring that carers and nurses share updates with each other to avoid mistakes.

At OneCall24Healthcare, we believe good communication is key. We work closely with families, health professionals, and local services to ensure that nothing is missed and that the person always stays at the heart of the plan.

3. Treating people with dignity, compassion, and respect

The third principle is simple but important and powerful: treat every person with kindness. No matter who they are, how old they are, or what condition they have, they should always be treated with dignity.

Compassion means understanding how someone might be feeling, especially when they are unwell, upset, or in pain. It means being patient, gentle, and showing you care.

Respect means valuing the person’s choices, even if they are different from your own. It means never talking down to someone or making them feel small. It means protecting their privacy, speaking to them kindly, and always giving them time.

What this should look like in real life:

Closing the door or drawing the curtain during personal care.
Speaking clearly and politely, even when the person is upset or confused.
Letting people speak for themselves instead of talking over them.
Apologising if something goes wrong and fixing it with care.

At OneCall24Healthcare, we know that dignity is not just about big actions; it’s in the small things, too. We remind our caregivers that every action, every word, every moment matters.

4. Enabling people to live as independently as possible

The last & fourth principle is independence. Many people want to stay active, make their own choices, and do things for themselves, even if they need some support. Person-centred care encourages this.

Instead of doing everything for the person, we support them in doing as much as they can. This builds confidence, keeps people involved in their own lives, and helps them feel more in control.

Even small independence, like making a sandwich or brushing their hair, can bring a big sense of achievement.

What this should look like in real life:

Helping someone walk to the bathroom instead of using a wheelchair (if they are able).
Supporting someone to cook their favourite meal instead of always ordering food.
Encouraging people to join community groups or hobbies they enjoy.

At OneCall24Healthcare, we help people live their best lives, not just survive each day. Our care is not about doing everything for the person but doing everything with them.

Benefits of person-centred care

When care is person-centred, it doesn’t just feel better- it works better too. People are more likely to:

Feel safe and comfortable
Trust their carers
Take part in their own care
Follow advice and treatment plans
Feel happier and more positive
Stay active and independent for longer

It also reduces families’ stress, helps avoid mistakes or miscommunication, and improves the overall quality of care. For carers, person-centred care creates deeper, more meaningful relationships with the people they support. It reminds us why we chose to care in the first place- to make a difference in someone’s life.

How OneCall24Healthcare delivers person-centred care?

At OneCall24Healthcare, person-centred care is not just a policy; it’s our promise. Whether we’re supporting someone at home, in the community, or in a care setting, we always start with one question: “What matters to you?”

We then build everything else around that. We:

Get to know each person well
Involve them in all decisions
Respect their routines, culture, and preferences
Communicate clearly and with kindness
Encourage independence and activity
Work together with families and professionals

We also provide regular training to our staff to make sure they understand the values of person-centred care and how to apply them every day.

Because at OneCall24 Healthcare, we don’t just care about people – we care for them, as individuals.

Conclusion

Care is more than just tasks and schedules. It’s about connection, trust, and respect. Person-centred care brings that human touch to every interaction. It makes people feel seen, heard, and valued.

By following the four core principles- respect, coordination, compassion, and independence- we can make care not only safer and more effective, but also more meaningful and personal.

At OneCall24Healthcare, we are proud to lead with these values every single day. Because everyone deserves care that fits them, not the other way around.