Personal care assistant services play a vital role in transforming the lives of people with disabilities. Even a small amount of help each day can contribute to building a better quality of life, allowing you or your loved one to live more freely and confidently.
Keep reading as we outline the value of hiring a personal care assistant and explore how our services can help you lead an independent, fulfilling, and healthy life.
The Impact of Personal Care Assistant Services on Quality of Life
Research indicates that nearly 60% of people with a disability require help in at least one area of daily life. A personal care assistant is vital to the well-being and support of people with disabilities.
They work closely with clients in sometimes private capacities, such as supporting them with personal grooming and remaining clean. Helping clients feel comfortable and understanding their independent needs and preferences can impact clients’ satisfaction.
With almost 3 in 10 people with disabilities experiencing loneliness, a personal carer is also essential for tackling social isolation. By helping you stay or get connected with friends, family members, and the local community, they can create a sense of belonging that could boost your self-confidence.
Through preserving dignity, treating clients with compassion, and providing emotional comfort, personal care assistants are therefore key in supporting the mental health and well-being of people with disabilities.
What Are Personal Care Services?
Personal care is a collection of services that support people with disabilities to perform a variety of essential daily tasks, which are referred to as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
These tasks include maintaining personal hygiene, using the bathroom, washing, and dressing. Assistants also offer individual support for those who need help in accomplishing other tasks, from cooking and cleaning to running errands and taking medication.
Depending on the unique needs of you or your loved one, the services that we offer at Gracious Australia go above and beyond physical care, and may involve providing daily companionship to support your emotional needs
Types of Personal Care Services
As an NDIS-approved personal care provider, we specialise in a range of individual support services for those living with a physical disability or mental health diagnoses. Here are the main personal care services that could assist you or your loved one:
Assisted Personal Activities
Assisted personal care activities are designed for people who need a higher level of care than basic supervision or companionship. This is particularly useful for clients who require daily living support with anything from personal hygiene, eating, and drinking to applying creams and treatments.
Our professional personal care assistants can also help you use technology, allowing you to learn how to operate devices independently and maintain contact with loved ones.
Household Maintenance
Your own home should be a sanctuary that provides a sense of comfort and belonging. Therefore, our personal care assistants are committed to keeping your space clean, tidy, and safe.
We can work alongside community members to assist with any care services around the house. Our facilitators can perform general chores like washing the kitchen sides, clearing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, and completing laundry.
We also provide property maintenance and DIY project management. These personal care services involve painting, gardening, and repairing fixtures or appliances around the home.
In-Home Support
64% of people with a disability own their home, indicating a need for sufficient in-home support. Personal care assistants operating around your home can help you foster healthy routines, like incorporating custom exercises suited to your situation, attending online classes, or eating meals at consistent times every day.
If you’re a carer, in-home support can offer respite for a few hours on appointed days. A personal care worker can also manage daily tasks like grocery shopping, meal preparation, and providing transport to and from appointments, enabling you to focus on maintaining your own well-being.
Mentoring
Mentoring helps you overcome life’s most difficult challenges, like finding suitable developmental opportunities and forming social connections. A personal care assistant can nurture and relay vital information so you can make positive, informed choices that will boost your confidence.
Our personal care assistants will help you break down your goals to identify professional and personal objectives. Together, you’d work on an action plan to make these dreams a reality. For instance, if you’re looking for a flexible job, a personal care assistant can discuss suitable roles and help you apply.
If you’re looking for more physical independence, they could propose activities like prepping meals and budgeting.
Supported Independent Living
A personal care assistant also provides clients the support to live independently, alone or in a shared home. This service is ideal if you or your loved one have more complex support needs, such as higher medical requirements or behavioural difficulties.
Our team can provide personal care both day and night with tasks like cooking healthy meals, managing money, and planning social activities. These tasks ensure you or the person you care for sustains a good quality of life.
Community Participation
A personal care assistant can extend their services outside the home, providing the tools to help you make deeper connections in local communities.
Our connection facilitators can find activities that work best for you, such as joining a club, attending a local class, or volunteering. These opportunities allow you to meet like-minded people and develop long-lasting, meaningful friendships.
What to Look for in a Personal Care Service
When choosing a personal care assistant provider, look for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) approval to ensure that they meet industry standards.
If you’re looking for a more rounded care plan, consider facilitators who take a holistic approach. Holistic care covers a broader spectrum of emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual needs. These plans should improve mobility around the home, ensure you feel good about yourself, and provide a sense of fulfilment.
Finally, a personal care assistant should always be flexible, adapting to your ever-evolving, diverse needs. For example, although you or your loved one may start off needing help with chores, you might later require assistance getting showered and dressed, and the care plan should take this into account.
Access the Personal Care You Need Today
Ready to improve your quality of life or access the support that your loved one needs?
Get in touch with Gracious Australia today to find out how our personal care assistant services can give you peace of mind, as we make your care and comfort our highest priority.
