FREE STUDY · 4.6 MIN LESSON
Personal Care & ADLs
Read the lesson, then use the free narrated cards to check what you remember. Knowledge practice does not replace approved training, supervised practice or a competency assessment. Follow the rules for your role, state and workplace.
Personal Care & ADLs
- Review the explanation, pause to recall, then practise the cards.
- Knowledge study does not replace approved training or evaluated skills.
Understand the care plan
- Activities of daily living are everyday self-care activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, oral care, toileting and eating. Help with the tasks assigned in the care plan while supporting the client’s choices and abilities.
- Wash cleaner areas before dirtier areas, with perineal care after other body areas. Check water safety using agency instructions and ask the client about comfort. Checking the water with your wrist does not by itself guarantee a safe temperature. Protect privacy and provide the level of supervision required by the care plan.
- For female perineal care, use front-to-back strokes with a clean cloth area each time. Wear appropriate gloves, protect privacy and follow the care instructions. The technique reduces transfer of organisms toward the urinary opening.
Apply the safety checks
- When the dressing plan involves a weak arm, put clothing on that arm first and remove it from the stronger arm first. Support the limb and avoid forcing it. Follow any individual positioning or movement restrictions.
- Follow the individualized repositioning plan for bed and chair. Report new persistent redness, discoloration, warmth or other skin changes. Do not massage a reddened pressure area or diagnose the injury stage. The timing depends on the person, skin response and support surface.
- Follow the assessed swallowing and feeding plan, including upright positioning, food texture and any prescribed technique. Offer small amounts at the client’s pace and observe swallowing. Do not add a chin tuck or change liquid thickness independently. Stop and get help for coughing, choking or reduced alertness.
Respond and report
- Follow the oral-care plan, support the client’s own brushing when possible and use the instructed positioning and supplies. Protect clothing and use appropriate gloves. Do not give a rinse that the client cannot safely manage; report mouth pain, sores or swallowing concerns.
- Ask about preferences and follow the care plan for grooming, hair washing and nail care. Use the assigned supplies and protect the client’s comfort, privacy and skin. Do not perform nail cutting or a specialized procedure outside your assignment and training; report redness, breaks in skin or pain.
- Follow the toileting and transfer plan, provide privacy and keep needed help within reach. Use appropriate gloves for exposure and perform hand hygiene afterward. Report new pain, unusual elimination or skin changes; never shame the client for incontinence.
Pause and recall
What does ADL stand for, and what are the main ADLs an HHA helps with?
How do you prepare for safe bathing?
Check your answers
- Activities of daily living are everyday self-care activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, oral care, toileting and eating. Help with the tasks assigned in the care plan while supporting the client’s choices and abilities.
- Wash cleaner areas before dirtier areas, with perineal care after other body areas. Check water safety using agency instructions and ask the client about comfort. Checking the water with your wrist does not by itself guarantee a safe temperature. Protect privacy and provide the level of supervision required by the care plan.