Support individuals to maintain personal hygiene

Unit aim

This unit is aimed at those working in a wide range of settings. It provides the learner with the knowledge and skills required to support an individual in maintaining personal hygiene. It covers good personal hygiene routines and why these are important, as well as potential contributory factors to poor personal hygiene.

Outcome 1 Understand the importance of good personal hygiene

1. explain why personal hygiene is important

2. describe the effects of poor personal hygiene on health and well-being.

Outcome 2 Support individuals to maintain personal hygiene

1. support an individual to understand factors that contribute to good personal hygiene

2. address personal hygiene issues with the individual in a sensitive manner without imposing own values

3. support the individual to develop awareness of the effects of poor hygiene on others

4. support the preferences and needs of the individual while maintaining their independence

5. describe how to maintain dignity of an individual when supporting intimate personal hygiene

6. identify risks to own health in supporting an individual with personal hygiene routines

7. reduce risks to own health when supporting the individual with personal hygiene routines

8. identify others who may be involved in supporting the individual to maintain personal hygiene.

Outcome 3 Understand when poor hygiene may be an indicator of other underlying personal issues

1. identify underlying personal issues that may be a cause of poor personal hygiene

2. describe how underlying personal issues might be addressed.