What is the primary role of a PCA?

The primary role of a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) is to assist individuals with daily living activities. This encompasses various tasks that support individuals in maintaining their independence and quality of life. These activities may include helping with personal hygiene, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, and companionship.

PCAs are trained to provide personal assistance tailored to the specific needs of the individual they support, focusing on enhancing their ability to perform tasks they might struggle with due to age, disability, or health issues. This kind of assistance is crucial for people who may need extra help to thrive in their daily routines. By enabling individuals to engage in daily tasks, PCAs play an important role in promoting their well-being and facilitating a higher degree of self-sufficiency.

While other roles, such as overseeing medical procedures or providing physical therapy, are important in the healthcare context, they typically fall under the responsibilities of licensed professionals and do not define the role of a PCA. Managing household finances is also outside the scope of a PCA's primary duties, which focus more on personal assistance and care.