Embedding Co-Production with Older People: From Care Planning to Everyday Delivery
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Co-production is frequently referenced in older people’s services, yet it is often misunderstood or applied superficially. Asking for views during assessments or annual reviews does not, on its own, amount to co-produced support. For co-production to be meaningful, older people must actively shape how their support is designed, delivered, and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
This article builds on person-centred foundations (see Person-Centred Planning) and aligns with strengths-based delivery models (see Strengths-Based Approaches). Its focus is how co-production is operationalised day to day in older people’s services.
What co-production really means in older people’s services
Co-production goes beyond listening. It involves shared decision-making, transparency, and mutual respect between the person receiving support and the service delivering it. In practice, this means older people influence routines, priorities, and adaptations as their needs and preferences change.
Designing co-produced care plans
Move beyond “preferences” sections
Care plans often contain isolated sections listing likes and dislikes. Co-produced plans integrate the person’s priorities into every part of the plan, including daily routines, risk management, and contingency arrangements.
Use accessible language and formats
Plans should be written in plain English and, where appropriate, supported by large print, pictorial prompts, or audio explanations. This ensures older people can meaningfully engage with their own plans.
Agree how involvement will be reviewed
Co-production is not static. Plans should specify how and when staff check that the person still feels involved and heard.
Operational examples
Example 1: Redesigning morning routines
Context: An older person feels rushed and disengaged during morning support. Support approach: Staff hold a co-production conversation to redesign the routine. Day-to-day delivery detail: The person chooses timing, order of tasks, and music during personal care. Evidence: Reduced refusals and positive feedback recorded during reviews.
Example 2: Activity planning through shared decision-making
Context: Group activities feel irrelevant to an individual. Support approach: Staff use one-to-one conversations to identify meaningful alternatives. Day-to-day delivery detail: Weekly plans are agreed collaboratively and reviewed informally after each activity. Evidence: Increased engagement and improved mood noted in daily records.
Example 3: Reviewing risk arrangements together
Context: Falls risk leads to overly restrictive support. Support approach: Risks are discussed openly with the person. Day-to-day delivery detail: The person helps agree safe mobility strategies rather than restrictions. Evidence: Mobility maintained with no increase in incidents.
Commissioner and regulator expectations
Commissioner expectation: Services must demonstrate how people actively shape their support, not just how they were consulted.
Regulator / Inspector expectation (CQC): Inspectors will look for evidence that people are involved in decisions about their care and that this involvement is reflected in practice.
Governance and assurance mechanisms
- Audits checking evidence of shared decision-making
- Supervision prompts focused on co-production
- Feedback tools accessible to older people
When embedded properly, co-production improves satisfaction, reduces conflict, and provides strong evidence of responsive, respectful care.
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