This guideline offers best?practice advice on care and support for people living with dementia and their families and carers. The principles of person?centred care underpin good practice in dementia care, and they are reflected in the recommendations. These principles assert:
- the human value of people living with dementia (regardless of age or cognitive impairment) and their families and carers
- the individuality of people living with dementia, and how their personality and life experiences influence their response to dementia
- the importance of the person's perspective - the importance of relationships and interactions with others to the person living with dementia, and their potential for promoting wellbeing.
Finally, the principles emphasise the importance of taking account of the needs of carers (whether they are family and friends or paid care?workers), and supporting and enhancing their input.

Care that supports people to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to more effectively manage and make informed decisions about their own health and care.

An approach that puts the person receiving care and support at the centre of the way care is planned and delivered. It is based around you and your own needs, preferences and priorities. It treats you as an equal partner, and puts into practice the principle of 'no decision about me without me'.