Consider an older man who is still sharp and independent in every way but one: showering has become unsafe, and he's had a couple of near-falls. He doesn't want to leave his home, and he certainly doesn't want a stranger rushed in and out. What he wants is help with the personal side of the day from someone he trusts and sees regularly — support that protects his dignity rather than chipping away at it.

This example is illustrative, created to show how personal care works under the local partner model.

Personal care is often the first kind of help people need, and the hardest to accept. Done well, it's what lets someone keep living at home with their dignity intact.

What personal care at home covers

Personal care is help with the everyday tasks of looking after yourself: showering and bathing, dressing and grooming, toileting and continence support, moving around the home safely, and assistance with eating. It's practical, hands-on support — and because it's so personal, who provides it matters just as much as what they do.

Paid for through Support at Home

Personal care is a core part of what Support at Home funding can pay for. If you've been approved for funding, your budget can cover personal care support at home. With Partner with Care you self-manage that budget — you choose the worker, and we act as the registered provider that lets the funding pay for the service.

Why choice matters here: personal care is intimate. Being able to choose your own worker — and keep the same familiar face — is the difference between support that feels respectful and support that feels intrusive.

You choose who supports you

Under self-managed Support at Home you're not assigned whoever is rostered on. You pick your own local worker or provider, and you can often match on things that matter to you — gender, language, cultural background, or simply personality. See choosing your own support workers for how that works in practice.

Getting personal care in place

If your funding is approved, we can help you arrange personal care with a local worker of your choice. If you're not yet funded, start with am I eligible for Support at Home? and how to apply. Either way, a short conversation is the quickest way to work out your options.