What is the care process?
The care process is a step-by-step way of giving care. A care worker does not just do the same tasks for everyone. She first finds out what this person needs, then makes a plan, then does it, then checks if it worked.
It has five steps that repeat like a circle: gather information, assess, plan, do, check. After checking, we start again, because people change.
The five steps in simple words
- Gather information. Talk to the person and family. Read notes. Watch how the person eats, moves and speaks. Ask what they like.
- Assess. Put the facts together. Find the life problem (for example, "does not eat lunch") and the cause (sore teeth).
- Plan. Write one clear goal, such as "eat half of lunch in two weeks". Write who does what and when.
- Do. Give the care as planned and write down what happened.
- Check. Did the goal come true? If yes, keep going or set a new goal. If not, change the plan.
Why do we need it? Its role
The care process has four jobs.
- Fits care to the person. Two people with the same illness may need very different help.
- Supports independence. Goals aim at what the person can do again.
- Keeps the whole team together. Carer, nurse, doctor and family all read the same plan.
- Shows if care works. Written checks tell us what to keep and what to change.
The person is always part of the process. Their words and wishes come first.
Try it
At home: pick a family member and a small problem, for example "grandmother finds the stairs hard". Do the loop on paper. Gather three facts, name the cause, write one goal, try for a week, then check.
In the 3D: before you move the slider in step 4, guess how many days it will take. Then check.
Key formulas and definitions
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Worked examples
1. Mr Khan, 75, refuses to take a bath. Which step is "ask him why and watch how he moves in the bathroom"?
This is step 1, gathering information. The carer asks and watches. She finds the floor is slippery and he is afraid of falling.
2. In the same case, name the life problem and its cause.
Life problem: he avoids bathing. Cause: fear of falling on a slippery floor. This is step 2, assess.
3. Write a good goal and one action for Mr Khan.
Goal: "Mr Khan takes a bath twice a week sitting on a stool within two weeks." Action: put a non-slip mat and a bath stool, and the carer stays close. This is step 3, plan.
Common mistakes
- Planning before gathering facts. Without facts you may solve the wrong problem.
- Using the same routine for everyone. Each person needs a plan that fits them.
- Stopping after "Do". Without a check we never know if the care worked.
- Not asking the person. Their wishes are the most important fact.