HOW PERSONAL CARE ROUTINES PRESERVE DIGNITY IN AGED CARE

Dignity in aged care means recognising that each person has their own preferences, habits and expectations. One resident may prefer an early shower, while another feels more comfortable later in the morning. Some may want help choosing clothes, while others prefer to manage as much of their dressing as possible.

These preferences may seem like small details, but they help make daily support feel personal rather than routine. Staff need to understand what matters to each resident and provide assistance in a way that respects their choices.

Families can also contribute by sharing useful information about familiar routines, communication preferences and activities that bring comfort. However, the resident's own wishes should remain central to decisions about their care. The aim is to provide consistent support without taking away opportunities for choice and independence.

WHY PERSONAL CARE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN DIGNITY

Personal care often involves close assistance with activities that people have managed privately throughout their lives. Showering, dressing, grooming and other hygiene routines can leave someone feeling exposed or uncomfortable when support is not handled sensitively.

A respectful approach starts with communication. Staff should explain what assistance is being offered, listen to the resident's response and allow time for questions or decisions. Asking before beginning a task helps residents understand what will happen and gives them an opportunity to express their preferences.

Privacy is equally important. Closing doors and curtains, keeping residents appropriately covered and avoiding conversations about personal care in shared spaces help protect their dignity. Staff should also respect personal belongings and the resident's preferred way of organising their room and clothing.

Australia's strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards took effect on 1 November 2025. Standard 1 places the individual at the centre of care, including their dignity, respect, privacy and ability to make decisions. Outcome 1.2 specifically addresses privacy and choice about how and when intimate personal care is provided.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission's guidance on dignity, respect and privacy explains why these principles must be reflected in everyday interactions, not just written care policies.

Small Preferences Can Make Daily Care More Comfortable

Personal preferences can influence how a resident experiences assistance. One person may prefer a shower before breakfast, while another may feel more comfortable after having time to wake up. Familiar toiletries, preferred clothing and a particular way of arranging personal belongings can also make daily routines easier.

Families may know these details from years of living together. Sharing relevant information can help staff understand what makes their relative comfortable, particularly during the transition into residential aged care.

Useful details might include:

• Preferred times for showering, dressing and grooming.
• Clothing preferences and familiar personal items.
• Communication styles that help the resident feel at ease.
• Cultural or religious considerations affecting personal care.
• Activities or routines that help the person feel settled.
• Situations that may cause discomfort, anxiety or hesitation.

These details provide helpful context, but preferences should not become fixed instructions that prevent residents from changing their minds. Staff should continue checking what the person wants and adjust support as circumstances change.

HOW CALM ROUTINES SUPPORT CONFIDENCE AND INDEPENDENCE

A predictable approach can help residents understand what to expect throughout the day. However, a routine should provide reassurance rather than remove flexibility. Residents should have opportunities to make decisions about the timing and manner of their personal care.

Some people may want assistance with every step, while others can manage certain activities independently. A resident might need help preparing clothes but prefer to dress without assistance. Another may appreciate support with showering while choosing their own toiletries and clothing.

Recognising these differences helps staff provide appropriate assistance without doing everything on a resident's behalf. Encouraging people to participate in familiar activities can also help maintain their confidence and sense of control.

What Staff Need to Understand About Each Resident

Useful information goes beyond a list of tasks. Staff benefit from understanding how a resident communicates, what makes them comfortable and where they prefer to receive assistance.

For example, someone who becomes unsettled during a busy morning may feel more comfortable receiving personal care later. Another resident may prefer a familiar staff member when receiving assistance with intimate activities, where staffing arrangements allow.

These observations can help inform the resident's care and services plan. The plan should reflect their needs, goals and preferences, while allowing for changes when their circumstances or wishes develop.

Regents Garden describes its 5-Star Services as including personal assistance with showering, dressing, meals, hygiene, mobility and daily living activities. These examples help families understand the types of everyday support available.

KEEPING COMMUNICATION CLEAR WITH FAMILIES

Moving into residential aged care can involve adjustments for both residents and their families. Relatives may have questions about daily routines, personal preferences and how changes in their loved one's needs are communicated.

Clear communication helps families understand how support is being arranged without making them feel responsible for managing every detail. It also gives residents an opportunity to explain what is working and raise concerns about their daily experience.

Where the resident wishes to involve family members, relatives can share observations that may help staff provide more familiar support. This could include changes in confidence, discomfort with a particular routine or preferences that were not immediately apparent after moving into care.

Family involvement should complement the resident's own decisions. A relative's knowledge can be valuable, but it should not automatically replace the older person's preferences or authority over their care.

When Personal Care Routines Need Reviewing

A resident's needs and preferences may change after an illness, hospital stay or change in mobility. Changes in memory, confidence or physical comfort can also affect how much assistance someone needs.

A routine that previously worked well may become difficult or uncomfortable. Staff and residents can discuss what has changed and consider whether the timing, approach or level of assistance needs adjusting.

Families may also notice changes during visits. Sharing specific observations, such as a new difficulty with dressing or increased discomfort during morning routines, can help staff understand what needs attention.

A review should focus on the resident's current needs and wishes rather than automatically returning to an earlier routine. Where appropriate, the care and services plan can be updated to reflect agreed changes.

PRACTICAL WAYS FAMILIES CAN SUPPORT PERSONAL CARE

Families can help staff understand the person beyond their care requirements. Familiar routines, personal interests and communication preferences provide useful context when someone adjusts to a new environment.

Before a care discussion, relatives may find it helpful to write down a few observations. These do not need to form a detailed history. Specific examples are usually easier to discuss and apply.

Consider sharing information about:

• Preferred names and ways of being addressed.
• Favourite clothing, toiletries and grooming preferences.
• Times of day when the resident feels most comfortable.
• Cultural, religious or personal considerations.
• Communication approaches that encourage participation.
• Changes in comfort, confidence or daily abilities.

Families should also give residents room to express their own views. Preferences may change after moving into residential care, and a person may discover new routines that suit them better.

For those preparing for residential aged care, Regents Garden's Making Your Choice guide provides information about visiting facilities, asking questions and considering available care services. These discussions can help families understand the environment and support options before making a decision.

QUESTIONS FAMILIES OFTEN ASK

How Much Detail Should Families Share About Personal Care?

Families can share information that helps staff understand a resident's preferences, comfort and communication needs. Examples might include preferred shower times, familiar toiletries, clothing choices or situations that cause discomfort.

The resident should be involved in these discussions wherever possible. Information should support their choices rather than create expectations they no longer wish to follow.

What Happens If a Resident Refuses Personal Care?

A refusal should be approached with patience and respect. The resident may feel uncomfortable, tired, anxious or simply prefer another time. Staff can listen, explain the proposed assistance and explore whether a different approach would feel more comfortable.

Repeated refusals or concerns affecting health and wellbeing should be discussed with the appropriate care professionals. Assistance should not be forced simply to maintain a scheduled routine.

How Often Should Personal Care Preferences Be Reviewed?

Preferences should be revisited whenever a resident requests a change or their circumstances suggest that existing arrangements may no longer suit them. Reviews may also take place as part of ongoing care planning.

Regular conversations help residents communicate what is working and what they would like to change. This keeps support responsive to the person rather than relying on assumptions made when they first entered care.

CONCLUSION

Personal care should support more than a resident's daily physical needs. It should also protect their privacy, recognise their preferences and preserve opportunities for independence. When staff listen, communicate clearly and adapt routines to individual needs, everyday assistance can feel more comfortable and respectful.

Families considering residential aged care in Perth can explore the Regents Garden aged care residences to learn about available locations, accommodation and care services.

For a conversation about residential care options and the support available, contact Regents Garden.