The need for good personal hygiene can be difficult
for an individual with a disability to understand. Care
workers can actively support individuals with disabilities
by adopting a person-centred approach to personal
hygiene, which puts the person not the disability at
the centre of everything they do by ensuring that the
individual’s beliefs and preferences are considered in
all aspects of the care and support they receive. This
involves valuing an individual’s rights to privacy, dignity,
choice, individuality, independence and respect, which
can be demonstrated through the positive relationships
staff build with residents (Michie et al, 2011). Staff can
develop person-centred ways of working by identifying
their individual needs and building a support package
around them, focusing on individual strengths and
abilities and what they can do for themselves (Nolan et
al, 2011). This allows individuals to take more control of
their own care planning and encourages individuals with
a disability to become more aware of the importance of
good personal hygiene by taking positive risks to maintain
independence and social inclusion (Box 3)