Home Care in Fair Oaks CA
Perhaps the most difficult in-home care activity, bathing can be a stressful time for both caregiver and senior. Fortunately, there are ways to make the process easier. These four tips compiled
from frequently asked questions can help make bathing a more pleasant experience.
1.Make the Bathroom Safe and Comfortable
Preset the bathroom to be ‘senior care friendly’ prior to routine establishment. Statistics show that the bathroom is a home’s most dangerous room, so it’s important to install proper equipment and appliances, including handrails, a raised-seated toilet, and a shower chair. When bathing begins, adjust the room temperature and test the water temp with your forearm to achieve maximum comfort. Running cold water in the bathtub first keeps the tub floor from getting too hot for the senior to sit or stand in.
2.Have the Senior Participate
Letting seniors bathe themselves as much as possible is healthy and boosts confidence. If they are mobile enough to walk around, make bath supplies easy to reach. Provide things such as a long back brush for additional self-bathing assistance. If bathroom bathing isn’t an option, consider a sponge bath. Have all supplies and a bedpan within reach to minimize disruptions.
3.Establish the “Three R’s” – Routine, Respect, and Reward
This simple acronym promotes security and positivity – two aspects that are important for seniors, particularly those with mental conditions. To reduce anxieties, form a bathing routine. Play music to set a calm atmosphere. Caregivers should approach slowly and tell the senior what they are doing to prevent unwanted surprises.
Modesty and privacy are sensitive for many seniors. Respect their privacy by offering blanket and towel coverings, and let them wash private areas themselves. If they prefer to wash by themselves, make sure the door is unlocked and stay near them in case of emergency.
Celebrate each success no matter how small the achievement is. If a mirror doesn’t stimulate fear, encourage them to see it and tell them how good they look. After bathing, treat them to ice cream or even take a stroll outside to show off. These positive rewards show that bathing can be a fun experience.
4.Don’t Worry About Perfection
In contrast to popular culture, an elderly person only needs weekly bathing due to dry and delicate skin. For caregivers having difficulties with seniors, partial bathing and dry shampoos are suitable. Sometimes a senior may resist help with bathing altogether. That’s okay. It’s perfectly fine to skip once or twice. The senior’s health and well-being trumps public image in this case.
If elder care bathing issues persist, try to pinpoint the cause. Depression may be the culprit. If this is the case, or if a caregiver feels overwhelmed, reach out to doctors, nurses, or caregiver communities for help. These groups understand a caregiver’s difficulties and can help lighten the load.
If you or an aging loved one needs home care services near Fair Oaks, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Source
Sources of Reference:
Agingcare.com – Bathing How-To’s for Parents with Alzheimer’s Disease
HealthNetCafe.com – Personal Hygiene – Assist in Bathing
New York Times Blog – The Most Dangerous Room in the House
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