12.5: Unit D- Dressing and Grooming
Providing assistance with dressing and grooming is an important task of the Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide. Maintaining a person’s appearance is important especially during times of illness. It helps people to feel more like themselves and helps the patient appear familiar to family, which is important during times of stress and illness. Providing hand and foot care helps to maintain good physical health. By performing hand and foot care, the Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide has an opportunity to assess the patient’s skin and nail health. Patients, especially those with conditions such as diabetes in which there is poor circulation to the feet, should have their feet inspected daily. Any red, open, bleeding, or problematic conditions should be reported to the supervisor. This section provides instruction about how to assist with patient dressing, apply compression stockings, provide hand and foot care, and shave a patient. Complete these tasks as directed by the Care Plan. Keep in mind patient preferences and respect the patient’s wishes.