Daily Personal Care

When you work as a Health Care Assistant, much of the time is spent assisting clients with personal care activities that they are no longer able to do on their own. Most people are used to taking care of their personal needs and privacy, so the loss of this independence is often difficult for clients to accept. When you are caring for clients, allow 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.

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 it may be permanent and required for the remainder of their lives.

Types of Patients/Clients Who May Need Personal Care

HCAs provide personal care to a range of patients/clients, including:

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

Providing personal care is a priority for the HCA. It is the most important care activity they do. Personal care provision demonstrates to the client that you are concerned about their physical health and general well-being.

Care activities are divided into two types:

• Tasks: care activities that HCAs are educated and trained to perform as part of their assigned HCA role.
• Restricted activities: higher-risk care activities outlined in health professional regulations that an HCA cannot perform without authorization (delegation) by a regulated health professional, such as a registered nurse. Restricted activities are not considered HCA tasks.

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 tasks.