“Care is not just about what we do for someone, it’s about who they are, what matters to them, and how we honor their story every single day.”

When Margaret first called our office at Babette Home Care, she had one simple request: “I just want someone who will let me keep my garden this summer.” At 84, with mobility challenges that made outdoor work difficult, Margaret feared that accepting help meant giving up the roses she’d tended for forty years.

Three months later, Margaret’s caregiver, Jessica, was learning about soil pH and companion planting. Together, they’d created a raised garden bed accessible from Margaret’s wheelchair, and Margaret was delighted that she could continue tending to her garden.

This is person-centered care in action. And this is why it’s not just our approach at Babette Home Care but it our promise.

What Person-Centered Care Really Means?

Person-centered care goes far beyond completing a checklist of tasks. While traditional care models focus on what needs to be done to someone, person-centered care focuses on what matters to someone.

It means seeing Margaret not as “the client who needs help with mobility,” but as Margaret: the master gardener, the woman who makes the wonderful apple pies, the mother of three who taught Sunday school for twenty years, and yes, someone who also happens to need support with certain daily activities.

The Difference is in the Details

Traditional Task-Based Care:

• 9:00 AM: Assist with shower
• 9:30 AM: Help with dressing
• 10:00 AM: Medication reminder
• 10:30 AM: Light housekeeping

Person-Centered Care at Babette:

• Morning routine tailored to client preferences (some are early birds, others prefer late mornings)
• Shower or bath based on individual comfort and cultural preferences
• Clothing choices that reflect personal style and dignity
• Medication management that respects the person’s routine and understanding
• Housekeeping that maintains their standards and their way of organizing

The tasks might look similar on paper, but the experience and the results are worlds apart.

Why Person-Centered Care Matters: The Science Behind the Heart

Research consistently shows that person-centered care doesn’t just make people feel better, but it makes them be better:

Improved Health Outcomes:

• 23% reduction in hospitalizations among seniors receiving person-centered care
• Better medication compliance when care respects individual preferences and routines
• Improved mental health and reduced depression rates
• Enhanced cognitive function through meaningful activities and social engagement

Greater Independence:

• People maintain functional abilities longer when care supports their goals
• Increased motivation to participate in therapy and self-care
• Better safety outcomes when care plans reflect individual risk factors and preferences

Family Satisfaction:

• 89% of families report higher satisfaction with person-centered approaches
• Reduced family caregiver stress and burnout
• Better communication and involvement in care decisions

But beyond the statistics, there’s something more fundamental: person-centered care honors dignity. And dignity isn’t just a nice to have, it’s essential to the human spirit.

Ready to learn more about person-centered care? Contact Babette Home Care today for a complimentary consultation. We’d love to hear your story and discuss how we can support your goals for aging in place with dignity and joy.

Call us at 617-326-1500 or click here to schedule your personalized assessment.

Experience the difference when care is truly centered around you.