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Personal Care is the provision of “hands on” care in a consumer’s home related to a personal hygiene or functional activity of daily living that an individual cannot meet independently. Individuals receiving personal care services must reside in a private home or apartment or be able to reside in a private home or apartment if Personal Care services are provided.
The following list of activities can be considered in the provision of service:
- Bathing – assistance with bathing in the tub, shower, or bed
- Skin Care – the routine application of lotion to unbroken, uninfected, undiseased skin surface
- Mouth care – assistance in care of teeth and mouth, including care of dentures
- Dressing – assistance with clothing
- Grooming – includes hair care, shaving, cleaning and filing of nails. (The personal care worker may not care for the diabetic consumer’s nails.)
- Toileting – includes assistance with transfers on and off commode or toilet, emptying commodes or catheter bags.
- Ambulation and transfer – includes steadying, support and supervision to assist consumer with walking and transferring.
- Changing of position or turning consumer – does not include range-of-motion exercises, except when such care is under nurse management
- Feeding – which may also include mashing of food for easier management and/or assistance in the preparation and serving of a meal
- Medication – assistance with self-administered medication. Assistance is limited to reminding the consumer to take medications, placing medication within reach, obtaining the necessary equipment, pouring water for oral medication, opening bottle caps, checking dosage, storing the medication and reassuring the consumer that he or she has obtained and taken the correct dose.
- Observation – reporting of changes in consumer condition and needs, as observed during performance of personal care.
- Instruction to Informal Caregivers – in the delivery of above–listed activities.
- Personal Care Services may also include provision of supplemental housekeeping services, as long as the primary service rendered is for personal care. These activities may include:
- Washing dishes and cleaning up after meal preparation
- Making beds and changing linens
- Shopping
- Washing the consumer’s personal laundry
- Light housekeeping essential to maintaining a healthful living environment
- Assistance with home and simple money management
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