Helping your loved one maintain personal hygiene promotes good health and overall well-being. However, this once straightforward job can quickly become complicated, uncomfortable and even dangerous as factors like reduced mobility, fear of slipping and balance issues come into play.
You may also be uncertain about how to best support your loved one in the shower while respecting their independence. We understand these challenges, so we’ve created this detailed guide to give you practical steps and tips on how to assist an older person in the shower.
Before the Shower
Preparing for the shower helps ensure both you and your loved one are ready for it. There are three primary areas to focus on:
1. Assess the Needs
Take a moment to consider your loved one’s level of mobility, balance and the overall assistance they’ll need from you while they bathe. Do they have difficulty standing? Can they still bathe themselves reasonably well? Will they need a more hands-on approach? As you assess their needs, remember to communicate with them in clear, straightforward statements or questions.
If you notice some reluctance from your loved one, it might be because they feel frustrated or embarrassed that they need this assistance. Remind them of the importance of showering and how this activity can help their overall wellness.
2. Prepare the Water
Older adults tend to be more sensitive to temperature extremes, so ensuring the water feels just right is essential. An anti-scald valve can help here by reducing temperature water fluctuations.
You can also start the water before your loved one steps in and test it with your hand to ensure it is warm.
3. Gather Your Supplies and Tools
Several tools can help make showering safer and more manageable. Some of the most basic include:
- Nonslip mats: Place a nonslip mat inside the shower or tub to help prevent falls while your loved one is bathing. These mats add traction and reduce the risk of slipping on wet surfaces.
- Shower chair or bench: These seats are water resistant and are often height adjustable for comfort.
- Grab bars: Just like toileting aids can help your loved one when they need to use the toilet, grab bars can be crucial to preventing falls. Place them in essential areas, such as at the shower’s entrance, on the side wall and near the faucet handles.
- Hand-held shower head: If you don’t already have one, you can install one. This will help give you more control over the direction of water and can be very useful if your loved one is seated while bathing.
In addition to the tools, you’ll need basic showering supplies such as a towel, sponge or washcloth, soap, shampoo and any other personal home care items they use.
During the Shower
Once you have your loved one in the shower, there are three key areas to promote a safe and comfortable experience:
1. Assistance Techniques
When assisting your loved one in bathing, you must focus on their comfort, safety and respect. This may include:
- Giving steady support as you help them into the shower: You can guide their hands to the grab bars. Remember to move at a pace comfortable for them and pause when necessary.
- Helping them sit on the shower chair or bench: Once inside, gently support and guide them down to their chair or bench.
- Assisting with washing: If your loved one can wash themselves, allow them to. You can help with areas they may struggle to reach, like the back, legs or feet.
- Assisting with rinsing off: Use the hand-held showerhead to guide and control the direction and flow of the water. Before you begin rinsing off the shampoo from the head, let them know because water over the head can sometimes feel disorienting.
2. Effective Communication
Communication is essential throughout the showering process so your loved one stays informed and reassured. This is particularly helpful if they have dementia or any other type of illness where confusion is common.
To help keep them informed, you can communicate basic things like, “I’m going to adjust the water temperature,” or “Let’s rinse your back.”
3. Note Potential Concerns
While showering, staying alert to your loved one’s skin condition is essential. Some illnesses may first be noticeable on the skin. Note any:
- Swelling
- Wounds
- Bruising
- Rashes
- Discoloration
After the Shower
Once your loved one is cleaned up, you can help them dry off with a towel. Gently pat their skin dry rather than rubbing, and ensure you dry areas like the feet and between the toes, which can be prone to fungal infections.
After drying off, lotion can help keep them moisturized and prevent dryness. If they need assistance getting dressed, have their clothes laid out nearby so they won’t have to wait long in the cool air. If they want to dress themselves, allow them to while you stay close, and give them the stabilizing support they need. If they can’t dress themselves, gently dress them one piece at a time. In addition, you can help with any final grooming, like combing their hair or brushing their teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some common questions we receive about assisting older people in the shower include:
1. How Often Should Older People Shower?
Generally, older people should bathe at least twice a week. Since they’re less active than younger adults, they don’t need to shower as often. However, the frequency will depend on their mobility, health and personal preferences.
2. Are There Alternatives to Showering for Older People?
Yes. Bed baths, sponge baths and no-rinse cleansing wipes can be helpful for situations where mobility is a challenge.
3. What if My Loved One Refuses to Shower?
If your loved one refuses to shower, this can be linked to fears from previous bad experiences or feeling embarrassed. Whatever the case, have an open dialogue with them. Listen to their side while reminding them of how important personal hygiene is to their health. Reassure them that you’ve taken the necessary steps for their safety in the shower.
Get Assistance With Village Caregiving
Helping your older parent or loved one with showering is an incredible act of care. From the above guide, we hope you understand how necessary preparation is and how to take it one step at a time to ensure a more pleasant experience for you and your loved one.
At Village Caregiving, we understand the many challenges of bathing a loved one, which is why we provide bathing assistance for older people. Our compassionate family caregivers provide excellent support for families who need assistance with daily tasks like personal hygiene and mobility. Whether you need part-time or full-time help, contact Village Caregiving today and rest assured that your loved one is in caring hands.
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