Assistance With Daily Living Activities

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Personal Care refer to the basic everyday activities that an individual typically performs in order to take care of themselves. For children receiving non-medical home care, personal care involves assisting them with tasks that are essential to their personal hygiene, health, and overall well-being. As children grow, they gradually take on more of these tasks independently, but caregivers still play a significant role in supporting them, especially for younger children, children with disabilities, or those who require extra assistance.

Here’s a more detailed look at Activities of Personal Care for children under non-medical home care:

1. Bathing and Showering

Infants and Toddlers: Young children require assistance with bathing and showering. Caregivers need to ensure that the water temperature is safe, and they assist with washing and rinsing the child’s body and hair. This can involve sponge baths for very young infants.

Preschool and School-Age Children: As children grow, they may start to take baths or showers more independently, but caregivers often need to supervise them to ensure they are using the appropriate amount of soap, rinsing properly, and drying off.

Older Children/Adolescents: Older children usually handle their own bathing, but caregivers may still need to monitor to ensure that they are maintaining hygiene standards (i.e., washing thoroughly, cleaning hair, and using deodorant as appropriate).


2. Personal Hygiene (Toileting and Grooming)

Infants: Infants require diaper changes and cleaning after feedings. Caregivers ensure that they are kept clean and dry to prevent diaper rashes.

Toddlers: As toddlers begin to potty train, caregivers assist with using the potty, wiping, and washing hands. Some children may need assistance cleaning up after using the bathroom, especially when they are still learning how to wipe properly.

School-Age Children: Children who are fully toilet-trained still need help with wiping, particularly with girls (for hygiene reasons), and handwashing. Caregivers may also assist with managing clothing.

Adolescents: As children grow older, they are more independent with personal hygiene and using the restroom, but may still need reminders about proper wiping techniques or handwashing.


3. Dressing and Undressing

Infants and Toddlers: Infants need help getting dressed and undressed, including changing diapers, onesies, or clothing suitable for the weather. Toddlers may start to develop the skills to put on simple clothing, but caregivers will still assist with buttons, zippers, or layers.

Preschool and School-Age Children: As children grow, they gradually learn to dress themselves, but caregivers may still need to assist with buttons, shoes, socks, and certain fastenings. Encouraging independence while ensuring they are dressed appropriately for the weather and activity is key.

Older Children: At this stage, children generally dress themselves independently, though caregivers might still need to assist with difficult tasks (e.g., tying shoelaces, putting on certain layers, or picking out appropriate clothing).


4. Hair Care (Washing, Combing, and Cutting)

Infants and Toddlers: Babies and toddlers may not have much hair, but caregivers still assist with keeping the scalp clean and healthy. Caregivers wash the baby’s head gently with baby shampoo.

Preschoolers and School-Age Children: Caregivers help with combing, detangling, and brushing hair. If the child has longer hair, they may need assistance with braiding or styling. Haircuts may also be managed by caregivers or parents, especially for younger children.

Older Children/Adolescents: Children in this age group can generally handle basic hair care on their own, including brushing, shampooing, and styling, though parents may still help with haircuts, trimming, or managing more complicated hair routines (e.g., for curly hair, or specialized haircuts).

5. Oral Care (Brushing Teeth and Flossing)
Infants and Toddlers: Babies’ gums need to be wiped clean regularly, and when teeth emerge, caregivers should begin brushing them gently with baby toothbrushes.

Preschool and School-Age Children: Children begin brushing their teeth themselves but need supervision to ensure that they are doing it thoroughly. Caregivers should monitor brushing for at least 2 minutes and help with flossing, especially when children are young.

Adolescents: Teenagers should be able to brush their teeth independently. Caregivers may need to remind them to floss regularly and use mouthwash as needed.


6. Feeding and Eating

Infants: Infants need assistance with feeding, whether breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or transitioning to solid foods. Caregivers are responsible for ensuring that the baby is fed adequately.

Toddlers and Preschoolers: As children get older, they start eating more solid foods and become more independent at the table. However, caregivers still need to ensure that the child is eating a balanced diet, providing meals, and helping with utensils if necessary.

School-Age Children: School-age children may eat independently, but caregivers still monitor their nutrition and ensure that they are eating healthy and consuming the right amounts of food.

Adolescents: Older children and teens often eat on their own but still need caregivers to ensure that they make healthy food choices.


7. Skin Care (Moisturizing, Nail Care)

Infants and Toddlers: Infants require care to prevent rashes, moisturize dry skin, and ensure the skin stays clean and healthy. Toddlers need supervision to ensure they do not pick at their skin or develop habits that might irritate it.

Preschool and School-Age Children: Skin care includes applying sunscreen when outdoors, ensuring the child’s skin is moisturized, and checking for irritations or infections. Caregivers also need to assist with nail care (trimming nails to prevent injury).

Older Children/Adolescents: At this stage, children can be responsible for basic skincare (like moisturizing) but may need reminders about sun protection and dealing with acne. Adolescents may need more support with skincare routines due to hormonal changes.


8. Medication Reminders

Younger Children: Parents or caregivers provide reminders to ensure the child takes the correct medication at the right times. Caregivers are responsible for monitoring adherence to the prescribed medication regimen and ensuring that the child is not missing doses.

Older Children/Adolescents: As children grow older, they may be able to take medication on their own, but caregivers still need to provide reminders and ensure that the child follows the prescribed regimen. Caregivers also check for any issues such as missed doses, difficulties swallowing pills, or side effects. Sleep Hygiene

Infants and Toddlers: Establishing consistent sleep routines, creating a calm sleep environment, and ensuring that the child sleeps comfortably.

Preschool and School-Age Children: Encouraging a bedtime routine, promoting restful sleep practices, and monitoring for sleep disturbances.

Older Children/Adolescents: Encouraging proper sleep habits (e.g., limiting screen time before bed, creating a quiet sleep environment) and helping them manage any sleep issues, such as insomnia or nightmares.


Conclusion:

Personal care within activities of daily living (ADLs) for children in non-medical home care involves a significant amount of supervision, guidance, and assistance from caregivers, especially when the child is younger or dealing with physical or developmental challenges.

As children grow, they gradually take on more responsibility for their own personal care, though caregivers remain important for oversight, education, and ensuring that routines are properly followed. For children with special needs or those facing unique challenges, caregivers may need to provide more hands-on support across a range of activities.