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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 our carers can help today.

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Carer helping elderly man with dressing
Elderly man looking at mirror

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:

    Carer helping elderly woman with walking

    Age-related changes: Mobility issues, balance problems, or memory loss can make daily personal tasks difficult or unsafe.

    A carer sits on a park bench next to an elderly man in a wheelchair

    Post-illness or surgery recovery: Temporary support is often needed for a loved one recovering from a health event.

    Daughter with her elderly mother

    Relief for family carers: Having a professional take on intimate tasks can allow family members to focus on enjoying their time together.

    Elderly man checking his phone

    Signs of decline: Look for signs such as wearing the same clothes, poor personal hygiene, untrimmed nails, or withdrawing from social activities.

Elderly woman with her carer sitting at a table with a book and cup of tea

Personal care for someone living with dementia

Personal care can be particularly difficult for individuals 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 the individual maintain their routine and dignity. Our carers are fully trained to provide dementia care, including Alzheimer's care, and can offer simple prompts and gentle support, adapting as the person's needs change.

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What 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.

    Carer laughing with elderly woman on a bench

    Live-in care

    Long-term 24-hour support

    • A carer lives in the home to provide round-the-clock support
    • Suitable for people living with conditions like dementia, reduced mobility, etc.
    • For long-term care needs
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    Carer helping elderly woman in the kitchen

    Respite care

    Temporary 24-hour support

    • A carer moves in for a few days to provide round-the-clock support
    • Suitable to cover for a main caregiver or for a temporary increase in care needs
    • Minimum duration of 3 days
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    Elderly woman with her carer and daughter

    Visiting care

    Flexible home visits

    • 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
    Find a carerExplore visiting care

FAQs about personal care

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