What is personal care?

Personal care is a broad term used to refer to supporting with personal hygiene and toileting, along with dressing and maintaining your personal appearance.

It can cover, but is not limited to:

Bathing and showering, including bed-baths

Applying lotions and creams as required

Dressing and getting ready for bed

Oral hygiene

Applying make-up, and hair care

Support with shaving

Foot care, especially if you are diabetic need to be extra vigilant with your feet

Helping you to the toilet, including using a commode or bed pan

Changing continence pads, along with cleaning intimate areas

Support moving position in bed, to stretch and prevent bed sores

Changing or maintaining a stoma or catheter bag, or other form of clinical intervention

In getting to know you as a person, your care plan will outline your likes and dislikes, the hygiene or beauty products you want to use and what – and who – you feel most comfortable with. Particular tasks, such as cutting nails, shaving and diabetic foot care, will always be outlined in your support plan with specific instructions for your carer.

Each carer is expertly trained to provide personal care in a way that is discreet and respectful of your personal boundaries. They undertake extensive training where they learn the importance of enabling your dignity and independence at all times.

Even though carers are trained to provide all aspects of personal care, there may be some things you’d prefer to do for yourself. A good carer will always give you space when you want it and encourage your independence wherever they can.