‘They’re taking the place of my hands’: perspectives of people using personal care

Abstract

This study investigated the experience of personal support provided by paid service providers. Numerous studies have investigated personal care assistance). However, there is a paucity of research on the experience of receiving personal assistance delivered by formal services. People who were using formal personal care services (participants) were engaged in in‐depth interviews about their experiences. The results of a thematic analysis of transcript data are reported. Findings indicate that the participants wanted their personal autonomy facilitated when they received assistance. This was achieved when the carer replaced the participant’s ‘hands’ and followed the choices and preferences of the participant when providing assistance. A number of barriers prevented participants from achieving self‐determination. This included the carer’s attitudes and aversions to tasks, formal training and rules and regulations set down by the personal care service providers.