What does personal care consist of?

Personal care is the category of care which includes any disability needs. This may involve help in bathing, changing, dressing for the day, personal grooming, shopping, and light chores. It is also associated with aiding individuals to maintain connection with their friends and relatives and also in keeping up with their appointments. 

It is a challenge for the clientele who has never received any form of care before to realise that they can no longer perform personal care function by themselves. In the beginning, they are likely to  deny that it is possible to have a care professional coming to help them with such intimate activities. 

Home care or live-in care is an ideal choice for people who are unwilling to accept assistance with personal care, as such a care model allows the client to develop a relationship of trust with one carer who will become familiar with their client’s preferences and provide help accordingly. Nevertheless, those who see the personal care approach to be appropriate to them, we provide more details below.

How can a care professional help with personal care?

A care assistant will collaborate with you to maintain up to the maximum of independence. Personal care takes are taken into account, and helping hands are offered if you or your loved one’s condition deteriorates. Any kind of support can be provided on demand.

Benefits of personal care

Personal care services are usually preferred by people having dementia. Moreover, younger people who have mobility limitations and are likely to need physical assistance are often consumers of personal care services. This is so because a carer can help in the trivial routines which are hard to manage alone. These working tasks become a rather personal issue and might include help in movement, bathing, and showering, preparation to get into bed, dressing, etc. It may include help with creams, makeup, and personal hygiene, hair care, eye care, or even foot care. Further, catheter care is part of the personal caring responsibilities. Help with toilet or commode facilities is also a service that a personal carer may provide.

Caring for Clients with Dementia and their personal care

The level of personal care for a client with dementia can differ according to the level of their capacity. Dementia does bring some challenges but our care professionals are experienced with working with clients who may be affected. They can provide a professional but caring service that is good for the your or your loves ones. Sometimes, our we discover that the support needs change when our client deteriorates with that in mind we will adjust quickly. Simple verbal cues are sufficient to enable a client with dementia to perform his or her own personal care tasks such as combing hair or dressing. Our care professionals aim to preserve independence for as long as possible.

Personal care for clients who may face mobility challenges

Clients with mobility conditions require an integrated approach, and it may be necessary to consult and develop a personal care plan. It is essential that a carer should honour the client’s right to decide on the manner in which his or her personal care is provided. Some clients require that their live in carer do things in a certain way or use certain or specific products for personal care.

Advantages of personal care for family members and loved ones

Family members often hire personal care when they are at a crisis point and they require to help with the personal care of their loved one. This could understandably lead to stress and psychological strain. The transition to have to care for a parent performing intimate tasks when it has always been done independently can be distressing. It is a common feedback to us that the introduction of home carer or live-in carer who will take such tasks brings the family back the relationship. For those who need extra help with a parent, personal care is a good option since you do not have to help mum or dad with all those small day-to-day jobs. This may involve activities like bathing and a personal carer would provide your loved one with extra independence and maintain their dignity. The live-in carer should work to be inconspicuous in their care so that the client and family have the opportunity to spend time together socialising.

How our dedicated team can help

We understand that if our clients had the choice, they would be self-managing their own personal care needs. Therefore, to us, it is very crucial that their home carer or live-in carer is their chosen person whom they trust and have a bond with. We will communicate with our clients and their loves ones personally to make sure we know the type of person they are looking for. We will ask the right questions and be guided by what our clients tell us so that we can choose a care professional who we believe will make our clients feel comfortable.