Overview

Personal and nursing care may be an option if you need support to live comfortably and safely at home.

Personal care means anything done for you that's of a personal nature, like:

• personal hygiene – bathing, showering, hair washing, shaving, oral hygiene and nail care

• continence management – toileting, catheter/stoma care, skin care, incontinence laundry and bed changing

• food and diet – help with eating, special diets and food preparation

• immobility problems – dealing with being immobile or substantially immobile

• counselling and support – behaviour management, psychological support and reminding devices

• simple treatments – assistance with medication (like eye drops), application of creams and lotions, simple dressings and oxygen therapy

• personal assistance – help with dressing, surgical appliances, prostheses, mechanical and manual aids, help getting in and out of bed and using hoists

Nursing care involves the knowledge and skills of a qualified nurse. It might include care like administering injections or managing pressure sores.