AN 68 Support individuals to meet personal care needs

1. Be able to work with individuals to identify their needs and preferences in relation to personal care

• 1.1 Encourage the individual to communicate their needs, preferences and personal beliefs affecting their personal care
• 1.2 Establish the level and type of support and individual needs for personal care
• 1.3 Agree with the individual how privacy will be maintained during personal care

2. Be able to provide support for personal care

• 2.1 Obtain valid consent for activities
• 2.2 Support the individual to understand the reasons for hygiene and safety precautions
• 2.3 Use protective equipment, protective clothing and hygiene techniques to minimise the risk of infection
• 2.4 Explain how to report concerns about the safety and hygiene of equipment or facilities used for personal care
• 2.5 Describe ways to ensure the individual can summon help when alone during personal care
• 2.6 Ensure safe disposal of waste materials

3. Be able to support individuals to use the toilet

• 3.1 Provide support for the individual to use toilet facilities in ways that respect dignity
• 3.2 Support the individual to make themselves clean and tidy after using toilet facilities
• 3.3 Support the individual to wash their hands after using the toilet

4. Be able to support individuals to maintain personal hygiene

• 4.1 Ensure room and water temperatures meet individual needs and preferences for washing, bathing and mouth care
• 4.2 Ensure toiletries, materials and equipment are within reach of the individual
• 4.3 Provide support to carry out personal hygiene activities in ways that maintain comfort, respect dignity, and promote active participation

5. Be able to support individuals to manage their personal appearance

• 5.1 Provide support to enable the individual to manage their personal appearance in ways that respect dignity and promote active participation
• 5.2 Encourage the individual to keep their clothing and personal care items clean, safe and secure

6. Be able to monitor and report on support for personal care

• 6.1 Seek feedback from the individual and others on how well support for personal care meets the individual’s needs and preferences
• 6.2 Monitor personal care functions and activities in agreed ways
• 6.3 Record and report on an individual’s personal care in agreed ways