PIECES Foundational Principles 

All that PIECES encompasses is informed by 4 Foundational Principles - Validating, Shared Solution Finding, Acting Together and Enhancing and Translating Knowledge.  These Principles inform and provide guidance to developing and enhancing the PIECES approach, the PIECES Learning and Development Program, the PIECES 3-Question Template and associated tools and Job Aids.

The PIECES approach

The PIECES Approach 

The PIECES approach in action enables Persons and their Care Partners to meaningfully engage and actively collaborate with their health care Team.  Rather than asking the question, “What Is the matter?” the focus is on, “What matters in your life?” Authentic engagement is essential, focusing on the quality of relationships among all members of the Team, ensuring their contributions, wisdom and experiences are valued and heard.  

PIECES Approach – Why, What, How Visual

The PIECES approach is far more than an assessment framework! It guides focused, time-sensitive and meaningful conversations to support the Person living with complexity.

PIECES Approach

  • Why that drives the PIECES approach is the best possible Person and Care Partner centered care
  • What will impact Team collaborative care is the PIECES 3-Question Template


The PIECES 3-Question Template 

Using the PIECES 3-Question Template guides evidence informed shared assessment, collaborative engagement and supportive care with older adults at risk or living with complex chronic conditions and changes in behavioural expression associated with;  

  • neurocognitive disorders (including but not limited to the dementias) 
  • mental health and substance use disorders
  • other neurological conditions
  • physical health complexities.

Always building on the Person’s unique strengths, promoting optimum health, early detection, and preventing unnecessary disability; always considering the Person’s; Physical, Intellectual and Emotional health, strategies to support their Capabilities, their social and physical Environment, and Social self (life story, social network, cultural, spiritual, sexuality, gender identity).

To learn more about PIECES preview Chapter 1 of the PIECES Resource Guide; Guiding collaborative Engagement, Shared Assessment and Supportive Care, 7th Edition.