This Is Me: Helping us provide personalised care
This Dementia Action Week (18 to 24 May) we’re highlighting a simple but powerful tool that helps us deliver care that truly sees the person, not just the condition.
This Is Me is a short document that shares what matters most to a person when they are in hospital. It is especially helpful for people living with dementia, delirium, cognitive impairment, learning disabilities or communication needs, and supports care that is calmer, safer and more personal.
Why it matters
Hospital environments can feel confusing and distressing, particularly for people who experience memory loss, disorientation or communication difficulties. Unfamiliar surroundings, busy wards and new faces can increase anxiety and distress.
This Is Me shares important information about a person’s preferences, routines and needs, helping staff reduce anxiety, prevent misunderstandings and provide person centred care. The form can be completed by the patient (where possible) or a family member, carer or someone who knows them well. It can be filled in before admission or on the ward, and families are encouraged to bring it with them if a loved one is admitted. Even partially completed forms are extremely valuable.
How it helps
This Is Me helps staff understand:
- What helps someone feel calm and reassured
- Preferred routines and personal care needs
- Communication, sensory, hearing or vision needs
- Triggers for anxiety or distress
- What is important to the person as an individual
Stephanie Wellstead, Improvement Practitioner for Falls, Dementia and Delirium, explained why the tool is so useful: “From my own personal and professional experience, when a patient has a This Is Me completed, even the simplest details — how they like their cup of tea, their usual bedtime routine, or the stories that shaped their life — can make the biggest difference. Those small insights help me offer care that can bring comfort, spark connection and help them feel safe.”
By sharing what matters most, This Is Me helps people feel valued, safe and understood, and supports staff to deliver care that truly puts the person first. With consent, the document is kept accessible so all staff can provide consistent, personalised support. Ask a member of staff about This Is Me or bring one with you when coming into hospital. You can find out more about This Is Me on the Alzheimer’s Society website.
Sharon Everett, Ward Leader, added: “This Is Me” booklets are important because they help us understand the person behind the patient. They give us key information about preferences, routines, and what matters to each patient, especially for those patients with dementia or delirium who may struggle to communicate their needs. Using this helps us deliver care in a way that feels familiar and respectful.”