Personal Care Tasks as Activities

Your Questions Answered: “I’m trying to convince my colleagues that the personal care tasks are an important part of providing meaningful activity. What can I say to convince them?”

Helen Johns, one of our activity coordinator trainers, writes …

You’re right to consider the importance of this, as all too often it is not dealt with as it should be. We have all seen the images of people living in care homes that show that personal grooming routines may have slipped. If someone has been very attentive about their appearance throughout their life, it is important that we acknowledge this as one of their values and assist them in maintaining this.

We like to think of personal care activities rather than personal care tasks, and find that, if carried out with that ethos in mind, they can have a number of therapeutic effects, including adding to a person’s feelings of wellbeing.

One lady in our care home is known for her personal style and grooming. ‘Keeping up appearances’ has been an essential part of her therapeutic care and her carers take this part of their work very seriously. As part of her daily morning routine, the lady is assisted to put on her make-up and a member of staff styles her hair in the way she prefers. She is supported to choose an outfit and coordinating jewellery for the day. The end result is obvious – the lady looks well groomed and well cared for, but the impact of this routine on her day goes well beyond the aesthetic. The lady is better orientated and understands that her day ‘has started’; she recognises this process as part of a morning routine and understands that afterwards she’ll have breakfast and spend the morning relaxing. In addition, her family notice that she is ‘sharper’ and is able to communicate much better since this routine was started.

It is also important that the lady has experienced some form of physical interaction with care staff (eg help with applying make-up, having her hair brushed or washed) which generates a positive feeling. So often people have little human touch, and this gentle and nurturing act allows physical contact to be a regular part of her life. These positive feelings last far longer than the personal care activities take to carry out.

Taking the time to meet her needs means she can subsequently cope with time alone.

In addition, the lady has enjoyed casual conversation with a staff member throughout the process, which helps connect the two and builds relationships. These connections have a long lasting effect, and while names may be forgotten, the feeling that these connections generate are retained. As a result, the lady is less anxious and happy to be left alone afterwards, while the carer assists other residents.

Clearly there are many benefits for this resident. However, there is also a substantial knock-on effect for staff who pride themselves in keeping up this standard for the person they care for. I’ve seen care staff get very excited about new jewellery or clothes that have been bought and are keen to be the ones to help the resident try on a new outfit. This kind of enthusiasm can’t be faked and can add to a staff member’s sense of pride in their work.

If all staff can recognise that this is an essential part of a person’s daily living tasks they will see that they play a vital role in day-to-day activity in the home.

The effects of feeling and looking your best are important for everyone, not just the elderly or those living with dementia. Personal grooming is a simple and easy part of a daily routine that can be simply worked into a resident’s day-to-day activities, and if care staff are involved it really helps with a whole-home approach too. Looking for ways to make activities become part of the day-to-day routine is a really good way to ensure even more stimulation, connection and person-centred care for your residents. And it is so much more than just ‘keeping up appearances’.