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Partnership-centred care: key ideas and principles

In this article, Professor Alison Hutchinson sums up the key ideas and principles of partnership-centred care covered in week one.
Elderly woman talking to a nurse in a retirement home
© Deakin University

This week you were introduced to the basic principles of partnership-centred care, discovered who the partners-in-care are and explored what benefits this approach offers to all those involved in the care of an older person.

We examined this approach from the perspective of Harry, an older person who recently made the transition from independent to assisted living and what this meant for him and his partners-in-care.

What did you learn about partnership-centred care?

Partnership-centred care is one of three elements in the Tri-focal Model of Care. The other two elements are evidence-based practice and creating a positive environment.

You can learn more about each of these approaches here.

The key principle underpinning a partnership-centred approach is that the wellbeing and dignity of all partners involved in the care of an older person are enhanced when the values of collaboration, interdependence, collegiality and reciprocity are recognised.

Your task

Before taking the test in the next step of this course, you may want to use this opportunity to ask any questions you might have. You can also post replies to other learners’ posts.

After completing the test, stay tuned for the final step in Week 1 where you’ll find out what’s on for Week 2, ‘The partnership approach in action’.

© Deakin University
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Caring for Older People: a Partnership Model

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