Personal care at home
Help with washing, dressing, toileting and moving about, given with dignity by a carer you have chosen and spoken to first.
What is personal care?
Personal care is help with the everyday tasks of looking after yourself, when doing them alone has become hard or unsafe. It can be part of an hourly visit, or part of live-in care.
What personal care includes
Washing and bathing
Help in and out of the bath or shower, a strip wash, hair washing, and keeping skin clean and comfortable.
Dressing and grooming
Choosing clothes, getting dressed, shaving, hair, nails and teeth.
Toileting and continence
Help getting to the toilet, changing pads, and keeping someone clean and comfortable, discreetly.
Medication
Prompting medication at the right times, as agreed in your care arrangement.
Getting up and about
Getting in and out of bed or a chair, moving around the home safely, and reducing the risk of falls.
Meals and drinks
Preparing meals, making sure there is enough to drink, and help with eating where needed.
How the first morning goes
The first visit sets the tone. Your carer arrives at the agreed time, takes things slowly, and follows the routine you have agreed: how your relative likes to wake up, what they wear, how warm the bathroom should be. Many families like to be there for the first morning to introduce the carer and show where things are kept.
Equipment and the home
Grab rails, a shower seat or a raised toilet seat can make personal care safer and easier. Your council can assess what equipment and adaptations your relative needs as part of a needs assessment. Carers only use equipment, such as a hoist, that they are trained and confident to use.
Dignity comes first
Personal care is intimate. Because you choose the carer and speak to them first, your relative can be cared for by someone they feel comfortable with. Tell us about preferences, such as the carer's gender, language or experience, and we'll send profiles that match where carers are available.
Agree how your relative likes things done: the order of their morning, water temperature, the clothes they prefer, and what they would rather do themselves. Doing what they still can helps them keep their independence.
Personal care or nursing care?
Personal care is help with everyday living. Nursing care involves clinical tasks, such as injections, wound care or managing a catheter, and needs a suitably trained person, usually a district nurse. Tell us about all care needs up front so we only introduce carers who can help safely.
Personal care for people with dementia
People living with dementia may need prompting, reassurance and patience with personal care. Some carers have dementia experience, and each carer's profile says what experience they have. Read about dementia care at home.
What personal care costs
Personal care is part of hourly care, at £25 an hour with a minimum of 2 hours a visit, or part of live-in care at £1,100 a week. If two carers are needed for safe moving and handling, hourly care with two carers costs £60 an hour.
Free personal care in Scotland
In Scotland, personal care is free for anyone assessed by their council as needing it, regardless of age, condition or means. It was extended to people under 65 on 1 April 2019 (mygov.scot). Elsewhere in the UK, your council may help after a free needs assessment, and Attendance Allowance can help with costs.
Helping your relative stay independent
Good personal care supports, it doesn't take over. Your carer can lay out clothes so your relative dresses themselves, steady them in the shower rather than washing them, or prompt rather than do. Agree with your carer what your relative still likes to do on their own.
Tell us the help needed
Which tasks, at what times, and how your relative likes things done.
Choose a carer
We send profiles, so you can choose someone your relative is comfortable with.
Speak first
Talk by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
The first visit
Your carer follows the routine you have agreed, and you adjust it together.
How carers are checked
Before LCH Care introduces a carer, we check their identity, right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS, two references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications. Carers also hold their own public liability insurance. You then speak to the carer by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Other types of care
Questions
What does personal care include?
Washing and bathing, dressing and grooming, toileting and continence, medication prompts, getting up and moving about, and help with meals and drinks.
What is the difference between personal care and nursing care?
Personal care is help with everyday living. Nursing care involves clinical tasks such as injections or wound care, and is given by a nurse.
Can we choose a male or female carer?
Yes. Tell us your preference when you enquire and we'll send profiles that match, where suitable carers are available.
Is personal care free?
In Scotland, personal care is free for anyone assessed as needing it. Elsewhere in the UK, your council may pay towards it after a needs assessment and a financial assessment.
Is personal care available for people with dementia?
Yes. Some carers have dementia experience, and each carer's profile says what experience they have.
Do carers use hoists?
Only carers who are trained and confident to use one. Tell us about any equipment when you enquire so we introduce suitable carers. If two people are needed for safe moving, hourly care with two carers costs £60 an hour.
How long does personal care take?
Every visit is at least 2 hours, which leaves time for personal care without rushing, plus breakfast, medication prompts and a tidy-up.