Care Plan Example for an Elderly Person

A care plan example for an elderly person should feel like a picture of their real life, not a generic checklist. It should explain what matters to them, where they need support and, just as importantly, what they can continue to do for themselves. A well-written plan helps everyone provide consistent, respectful care while allowing an older person to remain safe and comfortable in the home they know.

For families, this can bring reassurance when care is shared between relatives, friends and professional carers. For the person receiving support, it protects choice, routine and dignity.

What an elderly care plan should include

A care plan is an agreed record of a person’s needs, wishes, routines and goals. It should be developed with the older person wherever possible, rather than written around them. If they have difficulty communicating or making particular decisions, those close to them and the relevant professionals may need to contribute, always keeping the person’s known wishes at the centre.

The most useful plans are specific. “Help with washing” gives little guidance. “Mrs Patel prefers a shower on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, with her daughter helping choose clothes beforehand” gives a carer the information needed to provide support in a familiar, considerate way.

A plan will usually cover personal care, mobility, meals and drinks, medication support, social wellbeing, household tasks, communication needs and home safety. It should also record health conditions, allergies, key contacts, risks and what to do if something changes.

Care plan example for an elderly person at home

The following is an illustrative example. Every person’s plan needs to reflect their own circumstances, abilities and preferences. It should be reviewed by an appropriate care professional and updated whenever needs change.

About the person

Name: Margaret H, aged 84 Living situation: Lives alone in her bungalow. Her daughter, Anna, visits twice a week and is the main family contact. Health needs: Osteoarthritis in both knees, reduced balance, high blood pressure and mild hearing loss. Margaret has recently become less confident preparing meals after a fall. What matters to Margaret: Remaining at home, choosing her own clothes, having a cup of tea at 10 am, speaking to her sister each evening and attending church when she feels able.

Margaret understands and makes her own decisions about her care. She would like support that feels unhurried and does not take over tasks she can manage safely.

Personal care and dressing

Margaret would like a morning care visit at 8.30 am, five days a week. She prefers a wash at the basin on most days and a shower twice weekly, using her shower chair and grab rails. The carer should encourage Margaret to wash her face and upper body herself, offering help with her lower legs, feet and back where stiffness makes this difficult.

Margaret chooses her own clothes from the wardrobe. Her hearing aid should be put in after washing and checked to make sure it is switched on. The carer should speak clearly while facing Margaret, without raising their voice unnecessarily.

The aim is for Margaret to feel clean, comfortable and well presented while retaining as much control over her personal routine as possible.

Mobility and falls prevention

Margaret uses a walking frame indoors and a stick for short outings. Her frame should remain within reach before she stands, particularly after sitting in her armchair or getting out of bed. She prefers to take her time and should not be rushed.

Carers should check that walking routes are clear of loose rugs, trailing leads, bags and clutter. Margaret wears supportive slippers indoors and should be reminded to use them rather than walking in socks. If she feels dizzy, unusually weak or unsteady, she should sit down and the carer should seek advice in line with the agreed escalation procedure.

If a fall occurs, carers should not attempt to lift Margaret without suitable equipment, training and assessment. They should follow the care provider’s falls procedure, arrange urgent help where required and inform Anna once Margaret is safe.

Meals, drinks and nutrition

Margaret enjoys porridge or toast for breakfast, a light lunch and a hot evening meal. She has lost some weight since her fall, so regular meals and nourishing snacks are a priority. She dislikes spicy food and does not eat red meat, but enjoys fish pie, soup, eggs, yoghurt and stewed fruit.

The morning carer should prepare breakfast, make a hot drink and leave a filled jug of water within easy reach. At lunchtime, the carer should support Margaret to prepare a simple meal, encouraging her to take part where safe, such as choosing ingredients or buttering toast while seated.

Margaret should be offered drinks regularly and encouraged to have approximately six to eight cups or glasses across the day, unless a health professional has advised otherwise. Any noticeable loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, repeated uneaten meals or signs of dehydration should be recorded and reported promptly.

Medication support

Margaret takes prescribed tablets in the morning and evening. She can identify what her medicines are for but sometimes forgets whether she has taken them. Medication is kept in its original packaging in a locked kitchen cupboard.

The morning carer should provide medication support at 9 am, following the agreed medication assessment and recording each dose on the medication administration record. The carer must not guess, alter a dose or give medication that is not clearly prescribed. If Margaret refuses a medicine, has missed doses, appears unwell or reports side effects, this should be documented and escalated according to the agreed procedure.

Emotional wellbeing and companionship

Margaret values conversation and can feel lonely on afternoons when she does not see anyone. During visits, carers should ask about her day, listen without rushing and offer a choice of small activities, such as watering plants, looking through photographs or sitting in the garden when the weather allows.

On Thursdays, Margaret would like support to attend a local lunch group if she is feeling well. Her preferences may change, so she should always be asked rather than assumed to want to go out. Maintaining familiar interests is part of care, not an optional extra.

Home environment and daily living

The carer should wash up after preparing food, wipe kitchen surfaces and check that the kettle and cooker are switched off. Laundry can be put into the washing machine during the morning visit, with clean clothes left folded on the bed or chair for Margaret to put away with support.

Margaret likes her home neat but does not want belongings moved without asking. Any concerns about spoiled food, poor heating, a faulty smoke alarm or increased difficulty managing household tasks should be noted and shared with Anna and the care coordinator.

Communication, consent and family contact

Margaret prefers carers to knock, wait and announce themselves before entering. They should explain what support is being offered and ask permission before helping with personal care, medication or moving belongings. Her daughter Anna may be updated about significant concerns, changes in wellbeing or agreed appointments, with Margaret’s consent.

Margaret does not want every small detail of her day reported to family members. Respecting that boundary helps preserve her privacy and independence.

Reviewing the care plan as needs change

A care plan is not something to file away after the first visit. A planned review may take place after the first few weeks of care and then regularly, but it should also be revisited sooner after a fall, hospital stay, new diagnosis, medication change or noticeable change in mood, memory, appetite or mobility.

Reviews are an opportunity to ask practical questions. Is the timing of visits still right? Is the person doing more or less for themselves than before? Are there new risks in the home? Do they feel listened to? Sometimes a small adjustment, such as a longer morning visit or support with a weekly outing, makes a meaningful difference to confidence and quality of life.

For older people in Chichester, Selsey and Wittering, a personalised home care plan can help turn a difficult period into manageable day-to-day support. The right plan should never make a person feel like a task to be completed. It should help them continue living life in their own way, with dependable help nearby when it is needed.