Is it difficult for you or a loved one to perform simple daily activities?  Would the assistance of another person make these tasks manageable for you, and improve the quality of your life?  If you answered “yes” to these questions, Personal Care Services might be what you need.

In the home health care field, the textbook definition of Personal Care Services is, “services that are provided by a Personal Care Worker (PCW) to assist clients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs).”

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are self-care tasks that people normally do every day.  In home health care, ADLs are usually broken down into 6 basic self-care tasks:

1. Bathing – washing your body to keep good healthy hygiene
2. Dressing – being able to change clothing to maintain good healthy hygiene
3. Feeding – being able to make a meal and eat the meal
4. Transferring – being able to physically move from one place to another while performing activities
5. Continence – being able to control bowel and bladder function and being able to perform the personal hygiene tasks associated with these activities (this includes caring for a catheter or colostomy bag.)
6. Toileting – being able to get to and from the toilet, and perform the personal hygiene tasks associated with these activities

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are self-tasks that people normally do every day that are not necessary for fundamental functioning.  Yet, they are tasks that are important for a person to live independently in the community. IADLs are usually broken down into 8 basic tasks:

1. Housekeeping – being able to perform daily tasks to maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness in one’s home
2. Telephone & Technology – being able to operate a telephone and use basic technology
3. Shopping – being able to shop for all basic needs
4. Food Preparation – being able to plan and prepare meals
5. Laundry – being able to launder clothing
6. Transportation – being able to independently use public or private transportation
7. Medications – being able to responsibility dose and take medications
8. Finances – being able to independently manage personal finances

If a person is unable to perform ADLs on their own, everyday life can be extremely difficult.  Personal Care Services provided by a Personal Care Worker in the home can greatly help that person to remain independent.  The Personal Care Worker will come to the home on a regular schedule to assist the client to perform Activities of Daily Living.  As a home health care provider, we commonly see remarkable improvement in a client’s quality of life with the help of Personal Care Services.

Additionally, if you are currently providing assistance with ADLs for a loved one, and you are spending a large amount of time doing this as if it was a job, you may be able to be paid for your time.  Many people prefer help from a trusted loved one.  The person you are caring for typically needs to be receiving WI Medicaid benefits.  If you think you might be in this situation, please call our office at 414-541-6010 or click here: