A one-page "About me" profile for hospital or a care home

What is an "About me" profile?

It's a short summary of a person, usually a single page, written so that someone who has just met them can support them well. Dementia UK describes one-page personal profiles as short versions of a life story with the most important information about the person, often used in hospitals to help staff understand their needs.

In an unfamiliar place, a person living with dementia may not be able to explain that they're called Peggy rather than Margaret, that they always have a cup of tea before getting up, or that busy rooms make them anxious. A profile says it for them.

What about Alzheimer's Society's "This is me"?

"This is me" is a free leaflet from Alzheimer's Society for people receiving professional care who are living with dementia, delirium or other communication difficulties. It records details such as a person's background, the important people and places in their life, and their preferences and routines, so staff can give person-centred care. It can be used at home, in hospital, in respite care or in a care home, and it has been endorsed by the Royal College of Nursing. It's free to download, and printed copies can be ordered.

If a hospital or care home asks for "This is me" or its own form, fill that in. It's what staff are trained to look for. A family-made profile, like the "About me" sheet that comes with a Still Me book, is a printed companion that sits alongside it, often by the bed or at the front of a care file, and links to the fuller story in the book.

What should an "About me" profile include?

NICE's dementia guideline suggests considering a structured tool to assess the likes and dislikes, routines and personal history of a person living with dementia. A profile like this is one simple way for families to share exactly that.

What should you leave out?

Keep the profile about the person, not their medical record. Medications, diagnoses and allergies belong in the medical notes, where they are checked and kept up to date by professionals. Putting them on a profile that might not be updated risks confusion. If there's a critical safety point, such as "I can't hear on my left side" or "I need my glasses to read", include it as a practical tip, and make sure the medical team knows too.

Also leave out anything the person would be uncomfortable with strangers reading. If there are difficult parts of their history that staff should know about, share them privately with a senior nurse or the care home manager.

How should you write it?

• First person, short sentences. "I like to sit by the window" is warmer and quicker to read than "Patient prefers window seat."
• Specific beats general. "I like milky tea in a mug, not a cup" is more useful than "likes hot drinks".
• Practical comforts. What actually works when they're upset? A song, a photo, a particular phrase?
• Large, clear text with headings, following the same principles as our dementia-friendly design guide.
• A photo at the top helps staff match the profile to the person quickly.

How do you write one, step by step?

1. Ask what the setting already uses

   Hospitals and care homes often have their own form or use Alzheimer's Society's free "This is me" leaflet. Fill in theirs first; a family-made profile can sit alongside it.

2. Gather the essentials

   Talk with the person if you can, and with whoever knows their daily routine best. Note names, routines, food and drink, comforts and worries.

3. Write it in their voice

   Use short first-person sentences: "Please call me Peggy." "I like my tea milky with no sugar." Keep each section to a line or two.

4. Fit it on one page

   Use clear headings and a large font. If it runs over a page, cut it down: staff are more likely to read something short.

5. Make copies and keep it current

   Keep one in the hospital bag, one in the care file and one by the bed. Date it and update it whenever routines or preferences change.

How do you make sure staff actually use it?

A profile only helps if it's seen. In hospital, staff change shifts and wards, so:

• Give a copy to the nurse in charge at admission and ask where it will be kept.
• Ask if it can go by the bed or in the bedside folder, not just in the notes.
• Keep a copy in the bag that goes with them to hospital, along with their glasses and hearing aids.
• In a care home, ask the activity coordinator or key worker to read it with you, and to add anything they learn.

Moving into a care home? Our guide to sharing a life story with care home staff covers the first weeks in more detail.

How does a profile work with a life story book?

They do different jobs. The profile is the quick reference: what a new carer needs to know in the first five minutes. The life story book is the deeper story, something to look through together and talk about. Staff often use the profile to get started and the book to get to know the person. Our guide on making a life story book covers the book.