Hygiene and personal appearance

A person's appearance is integral to their self-respect and older people need to receive appropriate levels of support to maintain the standards they are used to. Personal preferences should be respected, as well as choice in how support is provided.

For example, choosing when and how to carry out personal care tasks, using your own toiletries, choosing what to wear and how to style your hair, and having clean, ironed clothes that fit are all ways of maintaining control and identity.