As a new live-in carer, you may find it a little daunting that you need to do some amount of personal care with your client. This will vary with each client, but generally there will be some form of personal care assistance for older people who simply cannot get into the bath anymore, or even manage to get in and out of the shower safely.

If you feel embarrassed at taking an active part in someone else’s personal care, you can imagine how embarrassing it may be for the person who receives this assistance.

There are several things that we can do to reduce the embarrassment and help the client to maintain their dignity.

Include your client

Make sure that you talk about what you are going to do and try if possible, to include them. Explain (even if you do this every time) that you’ll need to remove clothes to wash them. Perhaps ask your client to hold the shampoo or facecloth until you need them. If you include your client in the task, they will have something to occupy their mind and even work with you.

Use cover

Where possible use a towel to cover the lower part of the body while you wash the top part. If you have helped your client into the toilet and they are safe there, then retreat, close the door and assure them that when they call you will be there. If you need to help dress a client completely then avert your eyes as much as possible so that it does not look as if you are staring at them.

Don’t discuss

While it may be tempting to share information when someone asks about your client, this is something that you should not do. No-one needs to know the personal issues of your client apart from doctor, district nurse and relevant family members. Certainly, the neighbour does not need to know that you help your client with all their personal care and hygiene.

Check body language

If you watch your client, you will see when they are comfortable and when they are not happy with a situation. Sometimes your client may simply want to try and wash themselves and if it is safe to leave them, you may want to let them have their privacy. While this may feel to you that they are not getting as much personal assistance as you would like, you may find that after a few days they will accept you and be more comfortable with you helping them.

Other areas to consider

Not only does personal care come into protecting dignity, you should realise that a client who feels valued will be more comfortable to work with.

Choice and control

While you may need to help your client to dress, they will appreciate it if you let them choose their own outfit for the day. They may not be perfectly co-ordinated, but they will feel that they have taken an active part in making the decision.

Include them

Try to discuss everyday things with your client where possible. Simple things like which supermarket you go to and what you make for supper can be discussed so that they feel they still have a say in their daily life.

Respect their identity

Unless your client has asked to call them by their first name, you may want to address them in a more formal manner. It is never a good idea to resort to calling them your own pet names for them – save that for your own kids and pets. Stick to either ‘Mrs or Mr’ or the first name as they want to be called.

Respect space

If your client likes to have a nap after lunch, then make sure that you leave them in peace to sleep undisturbed. If they like privacy at a certain time, then make allowances for that time. Likewise, respect your client’s possessions. Never change the room around without first discussing it with them. Be respectful when you clean special ornaments and pictures.

To sum up

With a little forethought and planning, protecting your client’s dignity can be simple and easy to do. If your client feels that you respect them and their surroundings and you act as if you are a guest in their home, you will go a long way to ensuring that your placement is as comfortable as it can be.

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