From life stories to person-centred care planning: residents’ and professionals’ perspectives in Portuguese care homes

Purpose This study aims to examine residents’ and professionals’ perceptions of how older residents’ identities and life histories are recognised in individual care planning (ICP) and everyday care practices in Portuguese care homes. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory, cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in five Portuguese care homes. Questionnaires developed and validated through a three-round Delphi process were administered to 30 cognitively independent residents and 16 professionals involved in care planning. Findings Residents reported a generally positive perception of identity but limited knowledge of, and participation in, their ICPs. No significant association was found between perceived identity and involvement in care planning. Professionals reported more favourable perceptions of care-planning practices than residents, revealing a possible gap between procedures and residents’ experiences. A three-stage care-planning cycle (listen, return and review) is proposed to strengthen participation and continuity. Research limitations/implications The small, purposively selected sample of cognitively independent residents from urban care homes limits transferability. Findings relied on perceptions rather than documentary or observational data. Practical implications Care homes should systematically collect residents’ life histories, return care plans in accessible language and review preferences at regular intervals. Originality/value The study combines residents’ and professionals’ perspectives on identity and care planning, identifying a disconnect between lived experience and formal procedures, and translates this into a practical care-planning cycle with observable indicators.