Personal Assistance

1. Support the self-determination of individuals receiving personal assistance through skill demonstration.

• Respect individual privacy and autonomy
• Seek informed consent for personal assistance activities
• Analyze ethical limits of personal assistance practice
• Seek feedback regarding personal assistance skill competence
• Use touch appropriately
• Advocate for individuals that receive support

2. Anticipate and prevent potential health problems for individuals receiving personal assistance.

• Apply knowledge, critical thinking and analytic reasoning in health care planning
• Assess each individual and situation using critical thinking and a decision making process
• Use knowledge of wellness and body systems to provide timely and appropriate assistance
• Explore disability and aging and the implications for providing personal assistance
• Communicate with team members regarding changes in assistance situation
• Consult and refer when appropriate

3. Demonstrate proper safety awareness while supporting other’s personal care.

• Wash hands and use principles of cleanliness when providing personal assistance
• Use proper body mechanics while moving self and others
• Explain legal limits of personal assistance practice
• Report and record safety and health concerns
• Explain the use and maintenance of personal assistance aids and equipment

4. Provide individualized personal assistance to others.

• Consider how the major principles of personal assistance are incorporated into each skill
• Review and practice steps in personal assistance procedures
• Adapt procedures to suit the individual and situation, using a decision making process and the Basic Principles of Care
• Demonstrate competence in 5-10 personal assistance skills, such as: positioning and transferring, medication administration, vital signs, assistance with elimination, bathing, etc.