Daily Personal Care

When you work as an HCA, much of the time is spent assisting and giving clients personal care tasks that they are no longer able to do on their own.  However, most people are used to taking care of their personal needs and privacy. Loss of this independence is often difficult for clients to accept. Therefore, when you are caring for clients, allow the them to do as much of their own care as they are able, respect their sense of modesty, and try to avoid any embarrassment to them. When you give personal care, give it in a pleasant, efficient way and don’t physically expose the client any more than is absolutely necessary. Some clients need only a minimal amount of help; others are totally dependent on you.

Introduction

People may require personal care for a variety of reasons. Assistance with personal care may be temporary, while a person recovers from an injury or illness, or may be permanent and required for the remainder of their lives.

Types of Patients Who May Need Personal Care

• Patients recovering from an illness or accident
• Patients with a long-term chronic condition (e.g., heart failure, diabetes, HIV/AIDS)
• Frail patients or those of advanced age
• Patients who are permanently disabled
• The dying patient

Providing personal care is a priority for the Health Care Assistant. It is the most important task they do. Personal care provision demonstrates to the client concern about their physical health and general well-being.

This unit explores the importance of providing personal care, and provides instruction for performing tasks related to personal care. The importance of infection control and how HCAs can work to break the chain of infection to keep clients healthy is discussed. Bathing, oral care, dressing/grooming, and toileting are topics reviewed in this unit, with an explanation of how HCAs can help with these types of personal care activities.