Personal care means getting help with your daily routine from getting up in the morning through to going to bed at night.
There are ways to make personal care tasks easier to manage.
Dressing and undressing
You can make dressing and undressing easier by:
- choosing knitted, jersey or silky fabrics which are easy to get on and off
- using elasticated waistbands - these are easier to manage than other fastenings
- choosing clothes and underwear that fasten at the front
- adapting your clothes such as swapping to Velcro or magnetic fastenings instead of buttons or zips
Washing, showering and bathing
To stay safe while washing you should:
- use a non-slip mat in the shower or bath
- keep the bathroom floor dry to avoid slips and falls
- keep items you need within easy reach
- take your time and don't rush
Our Independent Living Centres have washing, bathing and showering aids and other personal care products. Staff are available to help you choose the right equipment.
Adapting your home, for example installing ramps and rails, may make tasks easier to manage.
Using the toilet
There are some things you can do to avoid a fall when visiting the toilet. You should:
- make sure the way to the toilet is well lit
- consider using a commode at night
- use a grab rail to hold onto when getting up from the toilet: a walking frame can easily tip over
Equipment is available that can help you to carry out personal care tasks such as using the toilet.
Adapting your home, for example installing ramps and rails, may make tasks easier to manage
Incontinence
If you have incontinence, don't be embarrassed about getting medical help. The symptoms can be improved, and sometimes cured, with simple methods.
Food shopping and cooking
Special equipment may help if you find it difficult to prepare or cook meals, or find eating and drinking hard.
Independent Living Centres can advise you if you are not sure what equipment to choose. Some items of equipment can even be borrowed for free, to try at home.
You get help with shopping and even get meals delivered to your home.
Sight and hearing loss
If you have sight or hearing loss there is equipment and a range of services available to help with your personal care.
Pet care
Cinnamon Trust (opens in a new window)
may be able to help if you are struggling to look after your pets and you don't have anyone who can help to care for them.
Volunteers from the Cinnamon Trust may be able to walk your dog. Contact them on their website or telephone 01736 757900
Some home care providers can also help to look after your pets and walk your dog, as well as helping you with personal care.
Reablement
If you have had an illness, accident, just come home from hospital or are becoming frail you might find it difficult to look after yourself.
Reablement is a short period of intensive support in your home. We will work with you to help you regain old skills or develop new ones. In most cases, this is all you need to regain your independence and be able to carry on living in your own home.
Care assistants
A care agency can arrange for a care assistant to visit you at home to help for a few hours a week or more. Care agencies charge around £15 an hour depending on the level of care provided.
The
Care Choices - home care checklist (opens in a new window) gives a list of important things to think about when choosing a care agency.
Occupational therapists
An occupational therapist could help you to solve problems that make everyday tasks difficult. This can help you to live safely and independently in your own home. They can also support carers and families.
Paying for your short term care
There is further information about how to pay for care services in your own home.
Advocacy
Advocacy is available if you need help to express your views and wishes.
Personal assistants
Personal assistants can be employed whether you pay for your own support or have a personal budget from the council.
The role of a personal assistant (PA) is different to that of a care assistant as they are able to offer more varied and flexible support.
There are many benefits to employing a PA:
- you choose who supports you
- you decide what you want them to do
- you decide when you want them to work
Live-in care
A care assistant can be employed to live in your home as a full time carer.
Live-in care may cost from £600 to £900 a week depending on the number of hours and support given.
Advantages of live-in care over a residential home include;
- remaining in your own home
- staying together with a partner and/or pets
- maintaining your social life and still having holidays
- giving added reassurance for relatives and friends
- one to one support allowing you to build a relationship with your carer
Disadvantages of live-in care over a residential home include;
- not being suitable for severe needs
- requiring a spare room for an extra person
- living with a stranger may not be right for you
- becoming expensive over time and requiring financial planning
This
checklist (opens in a new window) gives a list of important things to think about when choosing a care agency.
Paying for your long term care
There is further information about how to pay for care services in your own home.
We also have advice on financial care planning.
Our top ten things to think about will help you to plan your future care, even if you don't need support at the moment.
Advocacy
Advocacy is available if you need help to express your views and wishes.
