What is Personal Care in Home-Based Community Care?
Personal care is part of home-based community support since it includes supervision by trained support workers and caregivers in everyday tasks when it comes to private hygiene and daily personal care routines. People who need personal care mostly experience difficulties caring for themselves due to age, illness, or disability.
In the latest domiciliary care statistics, around 1 million people in the UK were receiving publicly-funded domiciliary care, with many supported through personal care in their own homes. This number shows just how many people rely on care workers each day.
So what makes personal care in the community different from care in a hospital or residential setting? The answer lies in personal choice, comfort, and control of the support people receive. For many, receiving support at home allows them to live more freely and be part of their community. It also provides care to be more person-centred.
But what does personal care really look like? And why is it increasingly important to so many people and families?
Personal Care Services
At its heart, personal care is about supporting people with the activities of daily living to the person’s needs – things most of us do without thinking. Care workers create a personalised care plan tailored to each person’s preferences, routines and cultural or religious needs, as well as specifying the carers’ responsibilities. Personal care directly impacts physical health, and it includes support with:
- Getting dressed
- Going to the toilet
- Personal hygiene (bathing, showering, shaving, oral care)
- Meal preparation
- Social support (such as help with shopping)
- Help with housework duties, washing up, cleaning and laundry
- Skin and hair care
- Preparing and administering medication
- Ostomy or catheter bag maintenance, as well as any other type of healthcare intervention
In the UK, personal care provided by health and social care providers must be registered with the CQC, which regularly inspects services to make sure they are safe, effective, and caring. This system helps protect people receiving care and gives families peace of mind.
Read more about the CQC regulation and the safety we provide for the people we support.
The Importance of Developing Personalised Care Plans
At its core, a personalised care plan is a comprehensive document developed collaboratively between the health professionals and the person receiving support and their families/guardians. Personalised care and support planning involves a series of facilitated conversations where the person actively participates to explore managing their health and well-being within the context of their whole life and family situation.
Why is personalisation so crucial in care planning? Every person experiences life differently, has unique values, preferences and needs that influence their health, social life and lifestyle choices. This way, the support workers get to know the history of previous experiences and prepare a well-structured personalised care plan that needs to include some key components.
The Role of Caregivers in Providing Personal Care
Caregivers are the backbone of community support. Personal care involves close contact and can be sensitive, so trust and communication between the person and the dedicated personal carer are essential. Do they take time to listen and understand what matters most to the person they support? Are family members included in care planning when appropriate? These questions help guide quality care and build positive relationships.
It all begins with understanding the person’s needs and preferences, requiring a personalised approach, prioritising the dignity and respect of the person receiving personal care. Caregivers need to be highly trained and should communicate openly, asking questions such as: How does the person feel about their care? What are their preferences? How can we ensure their comfort while meeting their needs? This way, building trust and offering emotional support are crucial for impacting the person’s mental health. Whenever needed, people can also have 24/7 care as part of live-in care in their own homes.
Why Do People Require Personal Care Services?
Have you ever thought about what life would be like if you couldn’t get out of bed on your own or needed help brushing your teeth? For many people, personal care services are not just helpful, but are life-changing.
There are many reasons why someone might need support with personal care. Older adults may have mobility difficulties or lose strength, making it hard to move around safely. People living with dementia may forget how to carry out personal hygiene routines. Others may have physical disabilities, mental health needs, or be recovering from illness or surgery. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), around 14.6 million people in the UK are living with a long-term health condition. Many of these people benefit from personal care to maintain their quality of life.
But personal care isn’t just about physical support. It’s about emotional well-being too. Being clean, dressed in clothes of your choice, and feeling fresh helps build confidence and boosts mental health. Personal care aims to support people to feel good about themselves and live on their own terms. Another reason personal care is so important is that it allows people to stay in their own homes for longer. Most people want to remain in familiar surroundings, close to loved ones and their communities. With the right support in place, people can avoid moving into residential care settings before it is absolutely necessary. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) reports that demand for home care has increased steadily over recent years, reflecting people’s preference to receive practical assistance at home.
The Impact of Personal Care on Quality of Life
People who receive respectful and personalised care feel more valued and in control of their lives.
Age UK reports that over 1.6 million older people in the UK have unmet care needs, many related to personal care. Without support, people may feel isolated, anxious, or even ashamed. High-quality personal care helps people live at home longer, reduces hospital visits, and even improves recovery times. A carer’s smile or a few kind words can turn someone’s day around. Personal care should always be delivered with respect, choice, and understanding. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and confident regardless of age or ability.
As we think about the future of care in the UK, we must ask: how can we make sure every person receives the personal care they need to thrive? Investing in care workers, listening to people’s wishes, and making care more inclusive could be the first steps to improving the quality of life for many.
After all, isn’t care the foundation of a kinder society?
What is a Personal Care Assistant?
A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) supports people who need assistance with daily tasks due to age, illness, disability, or other challenges. The role can include helping with washing, dressing, cooking, taking medication, or getting to appointments. It can also mean offering emotional support and being a trusted companion.
According to Skills for Care (2023), there are over 840,000 adult social care workers in the UK, with many working as PCAs. This shows how vital this role is across the country. PCAs work in various settings, including in people’s homes through direct employment or agencies, and sometimes under local authority or NHS-funded care plans.
The duties and responsibilities of a personal care assistant may include the following:
- Provide social care and support by accompanying people to visits or going with them on outings to cafes or supermarkets.
- Updating other healthcare professionals on reports that are maintained.
- Help with mobility and minor physiotherapy activities.
- Adhere to safety and health regulations.
To be a successful personal care assistant, you must have previous experience and be educated on the best strategies to provide personal care. Also, you must receive regular training to ensure you deliver the highest possible care. This training may include courses on handling and relocating, safety, first aid and health, and specialised instruction on conditions like epilepsy and dementia. You can also gain various qualifications, such as a diploma.
Why is Personal Care Important?
Personal care is about looking after your body and mind. It includes washing, brushing your teeth, getting dressed, eating well, and having enough rest. Good personal care helps people feel comfortable, confident, and respected. It also supports health and well-being. For example, regular handwashing can prevent the spread of illness, while brushing your teeth twice a day lowers the risk of gum disease. Personal care also plays a significant role in mental health. When people feel clean and cared for, they often feel more positive and in control of their day.
Providing respectful and person-centred support is essential. Everyone has the right to feel dignified and valued. Asking, “How would I want to be treated if I needed help?” can guide us to offer care in a kind and inclusive way. For carers and support workers, it’s a chance to build trust and support independence wherever possible.
The first step toward a healthier and more compassionate society is understanding why personal care is important.
Why Should UCS Be Your Personal Care Provider?
Because we understand that personal care matters deeply to each person. With our compassionate approach and commitment to dignity, we support people with a wide range of personal care tasks, ensuring their comfort, safety, and personal boundaries at every stage.
Whether you’re managing a personal budget or seeking private care, we work closely with you to design support that aligns with your needs and preferences. From everyday support to specialist care, we prioritise encouraging people to take control of their own care, because at Unique Community Services, your well-being is our primary focus.
Let us guide you on when to consider private care at home.
For more information on our support, please contact us today or visit our Manchester and Leeds offices.
