Home Care Packages include different types of home care services and support. One of the most important types of support for seniors is personal care.
But what is personal care exactly?
Personal care services include help with daily tasks, self-care, and personal hygiene.
This aged care program helps elderly people stay independent at home. They can do so with tailored personal care services.
Are you wondering if personal care at home is the right solution for you or your loved one? If that’s the case, read this article to get all the necessary details on Home Care Package services.
What Are Personal Care Services?
Personal care services (PCS) are special services provided through Home Care Packages.
They’re for senior citizens and people with special needs and health conditions.
These services can include various types of support. For example, bathing, medication reminders, dressing, grooming, and companionship.
Caregivers can provide personal care services in the patient’s home. You can also receive personal care in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or a hospital.
Personal care comes with many benefits for both the patient and their family members. Healthcare professionals can help patients maintain their independence, safety, and well-being.
Aside from meeting personal care needs, family members can rest assured that their loved one is in good hands.
But what is personal care in aged care?
It can be anything the elderly individual needs help with. For instance, showering, dressing, feeding, continence management, etc.
PCS can be provided by the following healthcare professionals:
- Registered nurses
- Home Care Package providers
- Trained caregivers
- Medical practitioners
What Types of Personal Care Services Are Available?
What is included in personal care depends on the Home Care Package level you have been assigned to.
In most cases, they include help with daily activities and everything you need for a normal life.
Here are some personal care services examples:
- Personal hygiene
- Meal preparation and feeding
- Help with daily tasks
- Medication reminders
- Continence care
- Help with mobility
Personal care can be and usually is tailored to the individual needs of the patient.
The aim is to help the patient maintain a healthy level of self-sufficiency.
When it comes to personal hygiene, the services vary depending on the Home Care Package level. The patient’s current health situation, needs, and preferences also matter.
Some of the most common types of personal hygiene services include:
- Bathing/showering
- Grooming
- Help with personal appearance
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Applying make-up
Who Is Eligible for Personal Care?
People who receive personal care through Home Care Packages can’t take care of themselves. Reasons for this can include age, illness, physical disability, or other conditions.
Applying for a Home Care Package is a lengthy process, which includes a waiting period. But before you are even put on the waiting list, you must be eligible.
To be eligible for Home Care Package funding, you need to be one of the following:
- At least 65 years old
- Between 16 and 64 years old, with a physical or mental condition that prevents you from performing everyday tasks
- Under 16 years old, with a disability
Once you find out you are eligible, you can choose a Home Care Package provider.
Your provider will help you come up with a home care plan that meets all your needs.