Personalised personal care at home supports older Australians and people with disability to keep up daily routines such as showering, dressing, grooming and moving around safely, with consistent support workers who help where needed and encourage independence where possible, which also eases pressure on family carers.
If you are arranging in-home aged care or disability support, this guide explains what personal care services involve, how they support safety and independence, and what to look for in a provider.
What is personal care at home?
Personal care is hands-on support with the everyday tasks of looking after yourself. It is one of the most common in-home care services in Australia and is delivered by trained support workers in the person’s own home.
- Showering and bathing, including setting up a safe environment and assisting where needed
- Dressing and grooming, such as choosing clothes, dressing, hair care and shaving
- Toileting and continence support, delivered with privacy and dignity
- Oral care and skin care, including support to keep up routines that protect health
- Mobility and transfers, such as getting in and out of bed or a chair and moving safely around the home
- Eating and drinking support, including help with meals where needed
- Medication prompts, reminding a person to take medication as prescribed, within the limits of a support worker’s role
The right mix depends on the person. Some people need help with a single task, while others need support across the whole day. Learn more about personal care services at Montessori Care.
Why personal care matters for safety
Daily routines carry more risk than most people expect, particularly for older Australians and people with certain disabilities.
- Bathrooms are a common place for falls. Wet floors, steps and tight spaces make showering a higher-risk activity for people with reduced strength, balance or mobility.
- Skipped routines affect health. Missing showers, oral care or meals can lead to skin problems, infections and poor nutrition.
- Unsafe transfers cause injury. Getting in and out of beds, chairs and baths without the right technique or equipment can injure both the person and a family carer.
- Changes in health can go unnoticed. Support workers who see someone regularly are more likely to notice new bruises, skin changes, confusion or weight loss and pass them on.
Trained support workers use safe techniques and, where needed, equipment recommended by an occupational therapist, which lowers the risk of harm.
How personalised personal care builds independence
Good personal care is not about taking over. It is about supporting a person to do as much as they can, and helping with the rest.
Doing with, not doing for. A support worker might hand over a washcloth, offer a prompt or steady the person while they dress, rather than completing the whole task. This keeps skills and confidence in use.
Routines that follow the person. Some people like to shower in the morning, others at night. Some prefer a bath, others a shower. Personalised care follows the person’s preferences instead of a fixed roster.
Choice and control. The person decides what to wear, how they like things done and when they want help. Their preferences guide the support.
Consistent support workers. Familiar workers learn how someone likes things done, which reduces awkwardness and builds trust, particularly for tasks that feel private.
Equipment and home adjustments. Simple changes such as shower chairs, grab rails, raised toilet seats and non-slip mats can let a person do more themselves, and an occupational therapist can recommend what suits.
Regular reviews. As strength, confidence or health changes, support can step up or back. For example, someone recovering after a hospital stay may need more help at first and less as they regain strength.
Personal care and daily living skills
Personal care and daily living skills often work together. A support worker can help a person practise parts of a routine, such as getting dressed independently with prompts, using adaptive equipment or following a visual checklist for morning tasks. Over time, the person may need less hands-on help, or may keep the same level of support with greater confidence and dignity.
How personal care eases family pressure
Many families take on personal care themselves for as long as possible. It is loving, but it can become physically demanding and emotionally complicated, particularly for tasks that feel intimate between a parent and child or partners.
- Physical strain reduces. Trained workers using safe techniques lower the risk of injury to family carers.
- Relationships can ease. When a support worker takes on tasks such as showering, family members can return to being a daughter, son, partner or friend rather than a carer.
- Routines become reliable. Scheduled support means essential tasks are not missed on a bad day or when the family carer is unwell.
- Family carers can rest. Regular support creates room for sleep, work, appointments and time off.
- Concerns are shared. A consistent support worker can flag changes in health or wellbeing, so family carers do not have to watch for every sign alone.
Who can benefit from in-home personal care?
- Older Australians who want to stay in their own home safely as strength, balance or health changes
- People with disability who want support with daily routines while keeping as much independence as possible
- People living with dementia, who often benefit from familiar carers and consistent routines
- People recovering after hospital, who need extra help while regaining strength and confidence
- Family carers who need relief or support to keep caring sustainably
How personal care is funded
- Aged care. Older Australians can access in-home personal care through the Support at Home program, following an assessment through My Aged Care.
- Disability support. NDIS participants can often fund personal care through assistance with daily life supports in their plan, depending on assessed needs and goals.
- Private arrangements. Some families arrange or top up personal care privately.
Funding rules and contributions change, so confirm current details with My Aged Care, the NDIS or your provider before you commit.
What to look for in a provider
- A person-first approach. Look for a provider that asks about routines, preferences and goals before offering a schedule.
- Consistent support workers. Ask how the provider keeps the same workers with the same clients, particularly for personal tasks.
- Respect for privacy and dignity. Ask how workers are trained to support personal care respectfully and how preferences are recorded.
- Qualified and screened staff. Ask about training, police checks and how staff are supervised.
- Safe manual handling and equipment. Ask how providers assess risks and work with occupational therapists where equipment is needed.
- Clear communication. Look for a named contact who keeps you updated and responds promptly.
- Flexibility. Ask how support can change as needs change, including adding or reducing hours.
- Transparent pricing. Request an itemised breakdown of costs before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose independence if I accept personal care support?
Not if the support is done well. Personalised care focuses on helping where needed and encouraging you to do what you can, which can protect independence for longer.
Can I choose the gender of my support worker?
Many providers will try to accommodate preferences for personal care. Ask early so it can be factored into rostering.
What if I feel uncomfortable with personal care from someone new?
This is very common. Consistent workers, a gradual introduction and clear communication about your preferences can help, and you can ask for a different worker if the fit is not right.
Can personal care be short-term?
Yes. Many people use personal care for a defined period, such as after a hospital stay, and reduce it as they recover.
Can my family stay involved?
Yes. Families can share routines and preferences with support workers, stay involved in reviews and keep their time for the relationship.
Montessori Care provides personalised personal care at home across Sydney, with consistent support workers who respect routines, privacy and independence. Call 1300 918 000 or visit www.montessoricare.com.au to talk through the right support for you or your family.
