Free Personal Care
The extension of Free Personal Care to all under 65s who require it, regardless of condition, applies from 1 April 2019.
Free personal and/or nursing care is available to adults in Scotland who have been assessed by the local authority as needing these services.
If you have been assessed as needing personal and/or nursing care you will receive this free of charge regardless of income, capital assets, age or marital or civil partner status. However, if you live in a residential care home you will need to contribute towards your remaining accommodation costs.
Personal Care Services
Personal care is defined as ‘anything done for you that is of a personal nature’ such as:
- Personal Hygiene - Bathing, showering, hair washing, shaving, oral hygiene, nail care
- Continence Management - Toileting, catheter/stoma care, skin care, incontinence laundry, bed changing
- Food and Diet - Assistance with the preparation of food and assistance with the fulfilment of special dietary needs
- Problems with Immobility - Dealing with the consequences of being immobile or substantially immobile
- Counselling and Support - Behaviour management, psychological support, reminding devices
- Simple Treatments - Assistance with medication (including eye drops), application of creams and lotions, simple dressings, oxygen therapy
- Personal Assistance - Assistance with dressing, surgical appliances, prostheses, mechanical and manual aids. Assistance to get up and go to bed. Transfers including the use of a hoist
The following care services may be chargeable:
- Help with housework
- Laundry
- Shopping
- Services outwith your home such as day care centres or lunch clubs
- Cost of supplying food or pre-prepared meals is chargeable, but support with preparing meals will be provided free
The local authority can arrange these services but they are subject to a financial assessment.
The Scottish Government has put together a FAQs page which you can read here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/free-personal-nursing-care-qa/