What is Personal Care?
Summary
Personal care is an essential NDIS support that helps people with disability manage everyday activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility. In this blog, we explore what personal care involves, who it's for, and how Ably Care ensures this support is delivered with dignity and compassion.
Understanding Personal Care
Personal care refers to hands-on assistance with the daily activities that many of us do without a second thought—but that can be challenging or unsafe for someone living with a disability. These supports are vital to maintaining independence, safety, and personal dignity.
NDIS personal care services are delivered in participants' homes or the community and are tailored to the individual's preferences, needs, and cultural background.
Common Personal Care Activities
Depending on the participant's goals and requirements, personal care may include support with:
- Bathing and showering
- Dressing and undressing
- Personal hygiene (e.g., grooming, dental care, toileting)
- Mobility and transfers (e.g., moving in/out of bed or wheelchair)
- Eating and drinking assistance
- Menstrual care and continence support
- Skincare and nail care
These tasks are carried out by trained disability support workers or nurses who prioritise safety, communication, and consent.
NDIS and Personal Care Funding
The NDIS funds personal care under the budget category "Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life." This support is considered reasonable and necessary if a participant cannot perform daily activities without support due to their disability.
You don't need a medical diagnosis alone to access personal care through the NDIS—you'll need evidence of your functional limitations and how this support contributes to your wellbeing, safety, and independence.
Who Can Access Personal Care?
Personal care is available to NDIS participants of all ages and backgrounds. It's especially important for people who:
- Live alone or with ageing carers
- Have physical or cognitive impairments
- Are transitioning to supported or independent living
- Require daily supervision or assistance to remain safe
- Are looking to maintain or improve independence in self-care tasks
Whether you need assistance a few times a week or daily support, your plan can be customised.
How Ably Care Delivers Personal Care
At Ably Care, personal care is more than a checklist—it's a relationship built on trust, respect, and consistency. Here's how we support you:
- Carefully matched, trained, and verified support workers
- Culturally sensitive and gender-preferred staffing
- Clear communication around your privacy and preferences
- Flexible scheduling to suit your routine
- Detailed care planning developed with you and your family
We believe everyone deserves care that makes them feel safe, confident, and seen—not just supported.
Tips for Respectful Personal Care
- Start with Choice: Empower participants to choose how and when they want support.
- Respect Privacy: Always knock, ask permission, and explain every step.
- Use Empowering Language: Avoid clinical or patronising terms.
- Stay Consistent: Familiar support workers build trust.
- Train Continuously: Staff training in manual handling, dignity in care, and communication is essential.
At Ably Care, we know that personal care is deeply personal. That's why we work with you every step of the way to ensure support feels right, respectful, and empowering.