Personal Assistance: What it is; What it is Not.

Judith Snow


Within the last fifty years society realized that people with unusual abilities can participate fully in the community and contribute to society if they have the right support.

“Personal assistance” is the right support. It is not being a nurse, a butler, a housekeeper or a warden. It is functional support provided through a personal relationship.

Personal assistance includes completing the daily tasks that an individual cannot carry out themselves or that they find so time consuming as to interfere with other important activities. These tasks fall in the areas of hygiene, nutrition, dressing, mobility, and communication. Though the categories are the same for everyone the actual functions that may be required depend entirely on the individual who is being supported.