Personal care includes those aspects of a service user’s daily life, other than personal hygiene, about which they may be concerned. This will include any care they receive for any illness, (such as pain relief or wound care), general health promotion (such as food and nutrition) and other issues such as cleanliness of the house, laundry, general décor, care of any pets and tidiness of the garden. Part of the Care Worker’s role is to meet these additional needs, as identified in the service user’s Care Plan.

With respect to personal hygiene, it is the philosophy of the Organisation that a person’s appearance is central to their feeling of self-worth. Care Workers ensure continuity of the standards of personal hygiene that service users set themselves, particularly when they are unable to take care of this for themselves.

This Policy summarises key elements in relation maintaining the dignity of the service user:

1. The Care Worker establishes with the service user their preferred arrangements for laundry and ironing services.

2. The Care Worker establishes the service user’s requirements regarding cleanliness of the house, tidiness of the garden, and any assistance with décor.

3. The Care Worker establishes the service user’s requirements with respect to pets, with due regard to possible infection and occupational Health and Safety issues.

4. The Care Worker discusses with the service user how they might keep the house free from odours that cause distress to the service user.

5. The Care Worker treats the service user’s preferences and standards with respect.

6. Service users decide the level of assistance they need from Care Workers with their personal hygiene.

7. The Care Worker is aware of different ethnic, religious and cultural requirements that may impact upon a service user’s chosen standards of personal hygiene.

8. The Care Worker does not make assumptions about the level of cleanliness that the service user chooses to adopt.

9. The Care Worker assists with all aspects of personal appearance that the service user is unable to maintain for themselves, ensuring discretion and sensitivity.

10. This may include assistance with washing / bathing, dressing, shaving, oral hygiene, and care of the hair and nails

11. Service users choose the times they receive help with personal hygiene

12. Service users choose the clothes they wear each day.

13. The Care Worker helps the service user to identify aids and adaptations that can promote and maintain their independence.

14. The Care Worker assists the service user with their toileting or continence needs, as identified in the service user Care Plan.