Types of care
Personal care
Personal care is hands-on help with daily self-care, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, and moving around. Trained aides give this help at home or in a facility. It is non-medical. It is different from skilled nursing, which only licensed health professionals provide.
Why it matters for your family
Personal care is often the point where families realize a loved one needs more than a visitor. Signs include missed baths, stained clothes, or near falls in the bathroom. An aide helps with these tasks while protecting dignity and safety. A common mistake is assuming Medicare covers it. Under Original Medicare, aide help for bathing or dressing is covered only as part of home health care when a person also needs skilled care, and not when it is the only care needed. Ask the provider what training its aides have and what tasks they may legally do in your state.
Source: medicare.gov
Read more: Personal and advanced care
Related terms
- Activities of daily living (ADLs)Activities of daily living (ADLs) are the basic self-care tasks people do each day.
- BathingBathing, as an activity of daily living, means washing the body by sponge bath, tub, or shower, and getting in and out safely.
- ToiletingToileting, as an activity of daily living, means getting to and from the toilet, using it, and cleaning up afterward.
- Custodial careCustodial care is non-medical help with daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and using the toilet.
- Personal care aide (PCA)A personal care aide (PCA) is a non-medical caregiver who helps with daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, meals, housekeeping, and errands, and often provides company.
- Companion careCompanion care is non-medical home care that focuses on company and everyday help.
