If you’ve looked into home health care at all, you have probably seen the phrase personal care floating around, but you might be wondering, “what is personal care anyway?” Actually, it’s pretty much what it sounds like. Personal care is anything that helps the patient handle personal care tasks. This includes everyday activities that most people take for granted, like bathing, grooming, and eating.

Patients who need personal care include anyone who 1) can’t care for him or herself, and 2) don’t need to be under 24-hour supervision. This includes senior citizens or people with physical, behavioral or cognitive disabilities. The services provided vary from patient to patient depending on what they personally need assistance with. Some typical personal care services include help with:

• Eating & Preparing Meals
• Toileting & Incontinence Care
• Bathing, Dressing & Personal Hygiene
• Shopping & Errands
• Getting Up & Around
• Getting In & Out of Bed
• Medication Reminders & Management

Caregivers can be hired for any amount of time necessary, coming and going as the patient needs. Sometimes, a caregiver is only needed in the morning to assist the patient out of bed and then help him or her eat her breakfast, and then might not be needed again until it is time to go to bed again. Other times, a caregiver might be needed all day to assist the patient as needed. Some families might choose to have a caregiver come in just to help with bathing since bathtubs can be dangerously slippery. Sometimes, personal home care is necessary only for a period of time, such as after surgery. The parameters of care are really up to the patient and his or her family.

Personal care is a blessing for so many people because it allows them to continue living in their homes and to enjoy a much richer quality of life. Some personal care might be covered, but most is done through private pay. Learn more about personal care affordability options here.