Personal Care & Hygiene Support at Home
Dignified, respectful help with washing, dressing, toileting and daily hygiene routines. Our trained carers provide discreet personal care support that preserves your independence and self-esteem at home across Market Harborough and Leicestershire.
Maintaining Independence with Dignified Personal Care
Personal care is one of the most intimate forms of support we can offer, and we understand it can feel uncomfortable accepting help with washing, dressing, toileting or other hygiene needs. Many people struggle with these tasks due to age, illness, disability or recovery from surgery, but feel embarrassed or reluctant to ask for assistance.
At Xcel Homes, we provide personal care with absolute respect for your dignity and privacy. Our experienced carers understand the sensitivity required and work at your pace, supporting you to do as much as you can yourself whilst helping with the tasks you find difficult. The goal is always to maintain your independence, confidence and self-esteem whilst ensuring you remain clean, comfortable and healthy.
Personal care support isn't about taking away your ability to care for yourself – it's about providing the help you need so you can continue living safely and comfortably at home. Whether you need full assistance with all personal care tasks or just a little extra help with certain activities, we create a care plan that respects your preferences and preserves your dignity.
We serve families across Market Harborough, Leicester and Leicestershire, providing personal care as part of visiting domiciliary care or 24-hour live-in support.
Visit Options
Morning, evening or multiple daily visits
Care Duration
From 30 minutes to 2+ hours per visit
Suitable For
Age-related needs, disabilities, recovery, chronic conditions
Privacy
Always respected, same-gender carers available
What Does Personal Care & Hygiene Support Include?
Our personal care services cover all aspects of daily hygiene and grooming, tailored to your individual needs:
Washing & Bathing
- Full body washing and bathing assistance
- Shower support (getting in/out safely)
- Bed baths for those unable to move to bathroom
- Hair washing and drying
- Face and hand washing
- Ensuring water temperature is comfortable
Dressing & Undressing
- Help choosing appropriate clothing
- Assistance putting on and removing clothes
- Support with socks, shoes and fastenings
- Compression stockings application
- Ensuring comfort and weather-appropriate dress
- Respecting personal style preferences
Toileting & Continence Care
- Support with using the toilet
- Assistance with continence products
- Catheter bag emptying (if trained)
- Skin cleaning and protection
- Maintaining dignity throughout
- Monitoring for any concerns
Grooming & Appearance
- Hair brushing and styling
- Shaving (electric or wet shave)
- Nail care (hand and foot)
- Oral hygiene and denture care
- Applying creams or lotions
- Light makeup application if desired
Mobility & Transfers
- Safe transfers to/from bed, chair, toilet
- Support with walking aids
- Getting up and down stairs if needed
- Repositioning in bed for comfort
- Falls prevention awareness
- Use of mobility equipment
Health Monitoring
- Skin condition observation
- Pressure area checks and prevention
- Noting any changes or concerns
- Liaising with healthcare professionals
- Following clinical care plans
- Ensuring personal hygiene prevents infection
How We Preserve Your Dignity
Dignity is at the heart of everything we do. Our approach to personal care ensures you feel respected, valued and in control:
Choice & Control
You choose who provides your care, when, how tasks are done, and what level of help you want. You remain in control throughout.
Privacy Respected
We ensure curtains/doors are closed, only expose the area being cared for, and never discuss your care in front of others.
Same-Gender Carers
If you prefer a male or female carer for personal care, we honor that preference. Many people feel more comfortable this way.
Unhurried Approach
We never rush personal care. Visits are scheduled with enough time to allow you to participate at your own pace.
Professional Boundaries
Our carers are trained professionals who maintain appropriate boundaries whilst being warm and friendly.
Communication & Consent
We explain what we're doing, ask permission before each task, and stop if you're uncomfortable at any point.
Personal Care for Specific Conditions
We provide specialized personal care support for people with various health conditions and situations:
Stroke Recovery
Supporting regaining independence after stroke, working with physiotherapy goals, adapting to one-sided weakness or limited mobility.
Dementia Care
Patient, gentle personal care for people with dementia who may be confused or resistant, using validation and distraction techniques.
Parkinson's Disease
Understanding tremors, rigidity and timing medication, allowing extra time for tasks, supporting with adaptive equipment.
Arthritis & Joint Pain
Gentle approach minimizing discomfort, supporting inflamed joints carefully, using adaptive aids to reduce strain.
Post-Surgery Recovery
Following post-operative care instructions, supporting surgical site care, helping regain strength and independence gradually.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Adapting to fluctuating abilities, supporting during flare-ups, energy conservation during care tasks.
Spinal Injuries
Understanding mobility limitations, proper manual handling techniques, catheter care and bowel management if needed.
Bariatric Care
Specialized support for larger individuals, appropriate equipment use, treating with dignity and without judgment.
When Personal Care Support Is Provided
Morning Personal Care
Time
7am–10am
Duration
30 mins–1 hour
Includes
Getting up, washing/bathing, toileting, dressing, breakfast support, medication
Evening Personal Care
Time
7pm–10pm
Duration
30 mins–1 hour
Includes
Toileting, washing, undressing, bedtime routine, medication, safe settling for night
Twice-Daily Care
Time
Morning and evening
Duration
30 mins each visit
Includes
Complete personal care bookending the day, ensuring hygiene maintained throughout
Multiple Daily Visits
Time
3-4 visits throughout day
Duration
Varies per visit
Includes
Continence care, positional changes, meal support alongside personal hygiene tasks
The frequency and timing of personal care visits depends entirely on your needs. Some people need help just once a day (usually morning), others require multiple visits for continence care or repositioning. We create a schedule that works for your routine.
Equipment to Support Personal Care at Home
Sometimes simple equipment makes personal care easier and safer at home. Our carers are trained to use various aids:
Bathroom Equipment
- Grab rails and support bars
- Shower chairs and bath seats
- Non-slip mats
- Raised toilet seats
- Bath lifts or hoists
Mobility Aids
- Walking frames and sticks
- Wheelchair transfers
- Transfer boards
- Standing aids
- Hospital beds with adjustable height
Personal Care Items
- Long-handled sponges and brushes
- Adaptive clothing with velcro fastenings
- Continence products and protective bedding
- Skin barrier creams
- Electric razors and adaptive grooming tools
If you don't have necessary equipment, we can advise on what would help and how to access it through occupational therapy, social services or purchase. Having the right equipment makes personal care easier, safer and more dignified for everyone involved.
What People Say About Our Personal Care Support
"After my hip replacement, I couldn't manage bathing alone. I was so embarrassed asking for help, but the Xcel carer was absolutely wonderful – so professional and respectful. She helped me feel at ease immediately and never made me feel uncomfortable. She worked at my pace and encouraged me to do what I could whilst helping with the difficult bits. Six weeks later I could manage independently again, but those weeks of support were essential."
Patricia H.
Personal care client, Market Harborough
"Dad has Parkinson's and was struggling with dressing and washing. He was reluctant to accept help, especially from a stranger, but his morning carer is brilliant. She's patient, doesn't rush him, and Dad trusts her completely. She maintains his dignity whilst making sure he's clean, comfortable and properly dressed each day. It's given Dad his confidence back."
Michael R.
Son of personal care client, Leicester
"I have MS and my mobility varies day to day. Some mornings I can manage my shower alone, other days I need full support. My carer adapts to how I'm feeling that day – she never takes over unnecessarily but she's always there when I need help. It's that flexibility and understanding that makes it work. She treats me with such respect and never makes me feel incapable."
Sarah L.
Personal care client, Wigston
Funding Personal Care Support
NHS Continuing Healthcare
People with complex health needs involving personal care may qualify for fully funded NHS CHC covering care costs.
Eligibility
Assessed by NHS based on primary health needs
Local Authority Funding
Council-funded personal care for those meeting eligibility criteria through means-tested care assessment.
Eligibility
Based on finances and care needs
Direct Payments
Use personal budgets to employ carers for personal care support with choice and control over who provides care.
Eligibility
Approved through assessment
Private Self-Funding
Pay directly for personal care with transparent hourly rates and flexible packages tailored to your routine.
Pricing
From £22 per hour
CQC-Registered Personal Care Provider
Xcel Homes Ltd is registered with the Care Quality Commission specifically for personal care services. All our carers complete comprehensive training in personal care, manual handling, dignity in care and safeguarding vulnerable adults.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Care Support
Ready to Discuss Personal Care Support?
We understand how difficult it can be to accept help with personal care, but maintaining your hygiene, comfort and health at home is essential. Our respectful, professional team is here to support you with dignity.
Address
Xcel Homes Ltd
Kettering Road, Market Harborough
Leicestershire, LE16 8AN
