Age-related changes
Mobility issues, balance problems, or memory loss can make daily personal tasks difficult or unsafe.
Personal care for the elderly
Personal care involves providing hands-on support for daily living tasks, helping your loved one maintain their independence and dignity. Find out how carers introduced through Elder can help today.
Find a carer0333 920 3648
What is personal care?
Personal care involves helping with daily tasks and personal hygiene that are essential for well-being. The goal is to preserve dignity and independence, ensuring that support is only offered where it is needed and delivered in a way that is comfortable for the person receiving care.
While definitions can vary, personal care services typically include:
- Help with washing and showering: Assisting with getting in and out of the bath or shower, providing bed baths, and ensuring safe water temperatures.
- Dressing and grooming: Help with getting dressed in clean, weather-appropriate clothing, hair care, shaving, and applying lotions.
- Oral hygiene: Assistance with brushing teeth and denture care.
- Mobility assistance: Encouraging gentle movement and helping with changing positions.
- Toileting and continence care: Assistance with using the toilet, changing continence pads, and managing toileting aids.
- Medication management: Providing reminders and ensuring medication is stored correctly.
- Meal preparation: Cooking nutritious meals and making snacks available.
When to consider personal care
It can be challenging to know when to seek help with personal care. Here are some common reasons and signs that a loved one may benefit from professional personal care services:
Post-illness or surgery recovery
Temporary support is often needed for a loved one recovering from a health event.
Relief for family carers
Having a professional take on intimate tasks can allow family members to focus on enjoying their time together.
Signs of decline
Look for signs such as wearing the same clothes, poor personal hygiene, untrimmed nails, or withdrawing from social activities.
Personal care for someone living with dementia
Personal care can be particularly difficult for people living with dementia. Memory loss can lead to them forgetting to wash or how to perform certain tasks.
A consistent, professional carer can provide better continuity of care, building a trusting relationship and helping your loved one maintain their routine and dignity. Carers introduced through Elder are experienced in dementia care, including Alzheimer's care, and can offer simple prompts and gentle support, adapting as your loved one's needs change.
Get dementia careWhat are the benefits of personal care at home?
Personal care at home offers significant advantages for those who want to remain in their own environment.
Improved physical and mental health: Good personal hygiene prevents illness and boosts self-esteem.
Peace of mind for families: Knowing a loved one is receiving professional support provides a sense of security.
Dignity and independence: Personal care is provided with respect, allowing the individual to maintain control over their life.
Tailored support: Care plans can be customised to fit an individual's specific needs and daily routine, whether through occasional visiting care or 24/7 live-in care.
Personal care options with Elder
With Elder, you have the choice of three types of care, depending on the level of support your loved one requires.
- A carer lives in the home, so someone’s there day and night
- Suitable for people living with conditions like dementia, reduced mobility, etc.
- For long-term care needs
- A carer moves in for a few days, so someone’s there day and night
- Suitable to cover for a main caregiver or for a temporary increase in care needs
- Minimum duration of 3 days
- Book as many hours as you need for help in the comfort of your home
- Support with everyday tasks like grooming, walks, cooking, etc.
- From as little as 1 hour per week
Live-in care
Long-term support
Respite care
Temporary support
Visiting care
Flexible home visits
FAQs about personal care
Still have questions?0333 920 3648