What is Personal Care?

Who Is Personal Care For?

Personal care is flexible and adaptable, supporting adults at different stages of life and across a wide range of needs.

Young Adults and Working-Age Adults
Young adults, including those in full-time education or transitioning from living with parents to more independent living, may require personal care due to disability, long-term or neurological conditions, mental health challenges, or recovery from illness or injury. Support can include assistance with washing, dressing or toileting, delivered in a way that respects privacy, builds confidence and promotes independence wherever possible. Care may be short term or ongoing and can be tailored to fit around education, employment, family life and social commitments.

Older People
As people age, everyday tasks can become more challenging due to reduced mobility, frailty, sensory impairment or cognitive change. Personal care supports older adults to continue living in familiar surroundings while maintaining comfort, safety, dignity and self-respect.

Organisations such as Age UK, Headway UK and the Spinal Injuries Association highlight the importance of practical, compassionate support in helping people remain independent and connected within their communities.

 

What Does Personal Care Typically Include?

Personal care is always individual, but it often covers support with activities of daily living that many people take for granted.

Washing and Bathing

This may involve assistance with showering, bathing or washing at the sink. A carer ensures the environment is safe, helps with transfers if needed, and supports the individual to feel clean and comfortable. Some people prefer encouragement and supervision, while others need physical assistance.

Dressing and Undressing

Support with choosing appropriate clothing, managing fastenings, and dressing in a way that respects personal style and routine. This can be particularly important for individuals with limited mobility, arthritis, neurological conditions or sensory challenges.

Toileting and Continence Care

Personal care can include discreet support with using the toilet, managing continence products, and maintaining hygiene. Delivered sensitively, this support helps protect dignity and reduce anxiety.

Oral Hygiene and Grooming

Assistance with brushing teeth, denture care, shaving, hair care and skincare helps individuals feel comfortable and confident. These small routines can have a significant impact on self esteem and wellbeing.

Mobility Support and Transfers

While not always categorised separately, personal care often overlaps with mobility support. This may include help getting in and out of bed, moving safely around the home, or using mobility aids correctly.

Personal Care and Health Conditions

Personal care does not diagnose or treat medical conditions, but it plays an important role in supporting people who live with them.

Physical Disabilities

Individuals with physical disabilities may need personal care due to reduced strength, coordination or balance. A consistent live in carer can learn the best techniques and routines, providing support that feels natural rather than clinical.

Neurological Conditions

Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease can affect movement, dexterity and energy levels. Personal care adapts as needs change, offering reassurance and stability.

Mental Health Needs

Depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges can sometimes make self care overwhelming. Gentle, respectful personal care can provide structure and encouragement without judgement.

Cognitive Conditions

People living with dementia may require increasing levels of personal care as memory and understanding change. The Alzheimer’s Society emphasises the importance of person centred care that preserves identity and dignity.

 

The Importance of Dignity and Choice

At the heart of personal care is respect for the individual. Good personal care is never rushed or task focused alone. It is shaped around personal preferences, cultural considerations and established routines.

Choice remains central. This includes choices about timing, products used, clothing worn and how support is delivered. Even when someone needs significant assistance, maintaining control over small decisions can make a meaningful difference.

From our experience as a live in care provider, continuity of care is especially valuable here. When the same carer provides support day after day, trust develops naturally and personal care becomes a familiar, comfortable part of daily life.

 

How Live In Care Supports Personal Care

Live in care offers a unique approach to personal care, particularly for those with ongoing or complex needs.

One to One, Consistent Support

Unlike rotating care visits, live-in care provides a dedicated carer who truly understands the individual’s routines, preferences and communication style. This consistency can reduce anxiety and improve overall wellbeing.

Flexible, Unrushed Care

Personal care does not always fit neatly into time slots. With live in care, support can adapt to how someone is feeling on a particular day, allowing for rest, reassurance or extra time when needed.

A Home First Approach

Remaining at home allows personal care to take place in a familiar environment, using the individual’s own bathroom, bedroom and belongings. This can be especially comforting for people of all ages.

Support for Families

For family members, knowing that personal care is being delivered safely and compassionately can bring peace of mind. Live in care can complement family involvement rather than replace it.

Personal Care and Independence

A common concern is that accepting personal care means losing independence. In reality, the opposite is often true.

Appropriate support can enable individuals to do more for themselves by reducing fatigue, preventing falls and building confidence. A skilled carer encourages independence wherever possible, stepping in only where needed.

The NHS recognises that personalised care and support play a key role in helping people manage daily life and remain as independent as possible.

 

How Personal Care Is Planned

Personal care should always begin with a clear understanding of needs, preferences and goals.

Regular Review

Needs can change gradually or suddenly. Regular reviews ensure personal care remains appropriate, responsive and supportive.

Working Alongside Other Support

Personal care often sits alongside companionship, domestic support and help with daily routines. In live in care, these elements come together seamlessly.

 

Choosing the Right Personal Care Support

Finding the right personal care solution involves more than a list of tasks. It is about values, relationships and trust.

When exploring options, it can help to consider:

• Whether care is needed short term or long term
• How important continuity and familiarity are
• The level of flexibility required
• The role family members wish to play

Live in care is particularly well suited to those who value stability, personalised routines and the reassurance of having someone there when needed.

 

Personal Care at Any Stage of Life

Personal care is not defined by age or diagnosis. It is defined by the need for support with everyday tasks that affect comfort, dignity and quality of life.

Whether someone is a young adult recovering from injury, a parent living with disability, or an older person wishing to remain at home, personal care can be shaped around their life rather than the other way round.

As a specialist live in care provider, our role is to listen first, adapt carefully and provide support that feels human, respectful and reassuring.

 

To speak to a member of our team about how we can support you or your loved one with personal care please call us on 0345 125 8975