Maintain Personal Hygiene

1.1 Explain why personal hygiene is important

Maintaining personal hygiene is of key importance for many reasons; personal, social, health, psychological or simply as a way of life. Keeping a good standard of hygiene helps to prevent the development and spread of infections, illnesses and bad odours. Poor hygiene can also have a negative impact on an individuals social life as friends and family with notice your appearance or odour for example and as a result wont want to bother with you.

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1.2 Describe the effects of poor hygiene on health and wellbeing

Poor hygiene can have a range effects on your health and wellbeing, for example; A build up of sweat and bacteria will cause body odour or B.O. which is probably the most common effect of poor hygiene. Not maintaining personal hygiene can lead to an individuals skin breaking down, causing sores which can lead to infection and pain. Poor personal hygiene can also have an effect on an individuals mental health and can lead to a loss in confidence and insecurity.

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A persons well-being is effected by different things.

Physical well-being is affected if an individual health deteriorates. Emotional well-being is affected by an individuals mood. Social well-being may be affected by the individual having body odour for example, others may find it difficult to be around them if they have a unpleasant odour.

2.5Describe how to maintain the dignity of an individual when supporting intimate personal hygiene
When I support an individual with intimate personal hygiene, for example, when showering.

I always make sure the doors, blinds, curtains, etc. Are closed to always ensure that the individual keeps their dignity and respect. I always make sure that when moving from the bathroom to their bedroom or vice versa, the individual is covered, using a dressing gown or towel, to ensure that the individuals privacy and dignity are maintained at all times.

2.6Identify risks to own health in supporting an individual with personal hygiene routines There are several risks to yourself when supporting an individual through a personal hygiene routine, such as; The individual lashing out, being physically hurt, getting splashed or covered in bodily fluids, etc. I personally think the biggest risk is definitely the risk of infection and therefore I take the necessary precautions to minimise the way infections are spread. I use gloves when necessary as I may come in contact with bodily fluids and waste.

When supporting an individual with their routine I always wear gloves and am always constantly communicating with them, letting them know what I am doing or what I am about to do, simply to give them the feeling or being involved and to help them feel more comfortable. Once I have completed the routine I always wash my hands thoroughly and dispose of my gloves and apron when needed. The PPE is always disposed of in the correct bin as to not contaminate myself or others.

2.8Identify others who may be involved in supporting the individual to maintain personal hygiene
There are several individuals who may be involved in supporting a service user to maintain their personal hygiene, these could be;
The individuals partner, their parents, friends, relatives, key worker, other members of staff or even the individual themselves.

3.1Identify underlying personal issues that may be a cause of poor personal hygiene
There are many reasons or factors as to why an individual may be neglecting themselves. They may be in pain or embarrassed of their bodies, they may be embarrassed that they need help to wash. Maybe getting out to the shops to purchase toiletries to wash themselves is difficult and therefore choose to ignore their personal hygiene. The individual may feel that they don’t need to wash or look after themselves if they aren’t getting out anywhere. Or maybe they don’t feel comfortable getting undressed in front of care workers and therefore cant be washed.

3.2Describe how underlying personal issues might be addressed
How to tackle an individuals underlying issue all depends on what the issue actually is. The first step would be to talk to the individual, get an understanding of how they feel and explain to them that your there to help, get an understanding of the issue, constant reassurance is of key importance.

Once you are aware of the issue then you can make a decision on what step to take next. For example; If the individual is in pain, then you can support them to see the GP. If the individual has financial concerns, then maybe a review of their finances and possibly a set budget can help If the individual is feeling depressed then again a trip to the GP is of key importance as well as getting them to talk.