Tasks that a PA can carry out includes:
- Personal care – this includes getting dressed, feeding, and washing.
- Social care - this includes going out, shopping and meeting friends.
- Transport - being driven from one place to another.
- Other support - e.g. in supporting the employer to achieve their work or education goals.
- Medication administration - as required and if trained to do so.
- (Occasionally PAs can be trained to administer specific health care tasks which would normally be administered by a nurse.)
Support isn't the only thing that personal care assistants offer, friendship is also possible.
If you are unsure of what care or support you need, you can ask your local council for a carer's needs assessment which will outline the type of care and support you might need.
There are requirements for the personal care assistant to have a background in nursing or social care. It is up to the employer to decide who is the right person for them and they are responsible for what tasks their PA(s) undertake and any training that needs to take place. They may already have had formal training and there are many organisations that can help a Personal Care Assistant get the training they need, such as Skill For Care.