Goal planning in person-centred care supports older adults receiving case management to attain their health-related goals

Abstract

Purpose Care for older adults should preferably be provided in a person-centred way that includes goal planning. The aim of the present cohort study is to gain an insight into the results of goal planning, in a person-centred care setting for community-living older adults. Materials and methods Within Embrace, a person-centred and integrated care service, older adults set goals with the aim to improve health-related problems. For every goal, they rated severity scores ranging from 0 (no problem) to 10 (extremely severe): a baseline score, a target score and, within one year, an end score to evaluate these goals. The differences between baseline and end scores (goal progress) and target and end scores (goal attainment), and the percentage of goals attained were calculated and compared between health-related domains (i.e., mental health, physical health, mobility, and support). Results Among 233 older adults, 836 goal plans were formulated of which 74% (95% Confidence Interval: 71–77) were attained. Goals related to physical health were the most likely to be attained and goals for mobility and pain the least likely. Conclusions Older adults are able to attain health-related goals through collaborative goal planning. We recommend future integrated care programmes for older adults to incorporate goal-planning methods to achieve person-centred care. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Older adults experiencing frailty or complex care needs and receiving individual support within an integrated care setting are able to formulate and attain goals using goal planning with severity scores. Goal plans of community-living older adults mostly aim at improving health-related problems concerning physical health, mobility, or support. Goals related to physical health are the most likely to be attained, while goals for mobility and pain are the least likely to be attained.