One aspect of home care should always be personal care. In a 24-hour care service, this should include everything from helping someone with a shower or bath in the morning to helping you get ready at bed time. A full-service personal care provider will include the following as a basic part of their prescription for daily personal care:

Bathing or showering – could include a bed bath

Personal hygiene – teeth, nails, hair

Preparing meals from breakfast to lunch, dinner/supper, and snacks. This includes any special meals or diets prescribed

Feeding the patient or helping them eat if they currently have difficulties

Helping them to the toilet and/or changing a colostomy bag

Dressing and undressing / preparing the service user for Day Care or trips out.

Washing / bathing / showering / shaving / grooming / cleaning teeth.

Hair care (washing / brushing).

Nail care (fingernails only).

Toileting and all aspects of personal hygiene, including the emptying of commodes.

Continence management.

Getting in and out of bed.

Enabling mobility, including moving and handling transfers, and positioning.

Checking mobility / lifting equipment, wheelchairs etc. for safe use.

Assisting with the use of Aids to Daily Living / Rehabilitation Aids, as required.