Personal care at home
Personal care is help with the daily things that become difficult — washing, dressing, using the toilet, getting in and out of bed. It is the most intimate care we provide and the part we take most seriously, because how it is done matters as much as whether it is done.
What we help with
- Bathing and showering, or a wash at the basin if that is easier
- Dressing and undressing, including choosing what to wear
- Hair, shaving, skin care and oral care
- Continence support and discreet help with the toilet
- Getting up in the morning and settling at night
- Moving safely around the home, and transfers with equipment where a risk assessment supports it
- Prompting or assisting with medication, recorded on every visit
How we do it
The same carers wherever possible, so nobody explains their own routine to a stranger every week. Visits at the times the person actually wants them.
- Keeping someone covered, and closing the door
- Explaining before touching
- Talking to the person, not over them to a relative in the doorway
- Leaving enough of the visit to actually talk
How personal care is done matters as much as whether it is done.
Common questions
Can I ask for a female or male carer?
Yes, and you should if it matters to you. Tell us at the assessment and we will match accordingly.
How long is a visit?
From 30 minutes up to several hours. Very short visits rarely work well for personal care — there is no dignity in being rushed — so we will be honest if the time you are considering is not enough.
What if my relative refuses care?
Common, and usually about control rather than the task. We start with less, build trust, and involve the person in every decision. If capacity is a concern we will talk to you about that properly rather than working around it.
Do you provide nursing?
No. We are registered for personal care, not for clinical treatment. Where district-nursing input is needed we work alongside the nursing team, and we will tell you plainly when something is outside what we can do.
Talk to us
No obligation, no sales visit. If you are arranging care for the first time and do not know what to ask, that is the normal place to start — just call.