The Personal Care Assistant
What is tetraplegia?
A tetraplegic is someone who has had an injury to his/her
spinal cord in the region of the neck, causing complete (or
partial) paralysis from the injury downwards. This does not
mean that the person cannot enjoy a full life. Some of our
clients have a permanent occupation, a family, an active social
life, and even drive their own cars.
The rewards of being a personal care assistant
Able-bodied people take for granted the fact that they can
get up in the morning, take a shower, have breakfast, complete
a day at the office or play sport… all as a matter of
fact. As a personal care assistant, you may be surprised at
how much you begin to appreciate a healthy and able body; how
many small, yet priceless, things go unnoticed in our frenetic
days and how rewarding it is to be selfless.
The work of a personal care assistant is emotionally, spiritually
and financially rewarding. You will meet some wonderful people
and experience the richness of British culture first hand.
Please study the role (and job description) of the personal
care assistant carefully to make sure that this is the type
of work you are willing to commit to.
The role of the personal care assistant
A personal care assistant helps their
client to lead an independent lifestyle in his/her own home,
and within the community
in which they live. In doing so, you should have the
confidence to ask your client about their needs, to act on
their requests
and directions and to provide assistance at the right
time.
A personal care assistant has immeasurable influence on his/her
client’s quality of life. As such, you have to be completely
committed to walking the extra mile alongside your client.
A positive and willing attitude is of the utmost importance
and will largely determine the happiness and satisfaction of
both your client and yourself.
All of this might sound very serious and demanding. It is
not.
What is important is that you approach this job with the right
frame of mind. And heart. You must desire to make a positive
difference in someone’s life. You must be willing and
able to take on that responsibility and commitment.
A brief description of the work of a personal care assistant:
The personal care assistant is responsible for helping the
client in all personal, social and domestic aspects of their
life.
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Personal Care:
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washing, shaving and bathing in bed or bathroom
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assistance with bathing and/or showering
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personal grooming: attention to hair, nails, feet,
eyes etc
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assisting in maintaining a bowel and bladder routine
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helping in and out of bed and wheelchair
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assistance during the night (required infrequently)
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assistance dressing and undressing
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daily exercises involving the movement of limbs as
required
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the serving and cutting of food as required
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Domestic Duties:
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making and changing of beds
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assisting with laundry, washing and ironing
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assisting with shopping and other associated tasks
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preparation and cooking of meals (with assistance
where necessary)
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general housework, including the cleaning and dusting
of rooms, furniture and fitments
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other general household maintenance tasks
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Examples of other duties:
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preparation of vehicle before use and its general
cleaning and maintenance
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assistance in and out of vehicle and driving this
as required
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house and garden duties - clear paths, clean windows,
cut grass etc
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maintenance of equipment: i.e. wheelchairs, hoists
and other aids
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escorting to business and social meetings and events
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assisting in general office administration and filing
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assisting with feeding, walking and general care of
any pets
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Note: Needs vary from day to day, and your duties will vary
accordingly.
You
are welcome to contact us if you think that you are the right
person for this occupation, or have questions before
you make up your mind. We look forward to hearing from you.
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