As people become older, their personal hygiene tends to deteriorate. It is because elderly family members may have trouble standing in the shower, bathing, or keeping enough balance to stand in front of the sink. Our loved ones may even refuse assistance with personal hygiene, resulting in a never-ending squabble with them. On the other hand, there are instances where our loved ones may have simply forgotten to wash and bathe. When these kinds of situations arise, it’s critical to give support and help them maintain personal hygiene.
To provide the best personal hygiene care that we can for our loved ones, you may find this checklist for seniors’ personal hygiene helpful.
Identify the Problems
Find out why your loved one has neglected his or her personal hygiene. Because of mobility concerns or because they are physically unable to conduct their typical hygiene habits and are scared to speak out, aging persons frequently acquire poor hygiene. Whatever the cause, it’s critical to identify the problems and explore possible remedies in order to keep them clean and healthy.
Make a Schedule
Developing a regular hygiene regimen might assist your loved one in becoming accustomed to certain actions such as washing, combing their hair, and cleaning their teeth. Make these everyday hygiene practices feel less like duties and more like things that can be fun. Helping your loved one get ready in the morning is a great way to start the day. Make sure you have a warm shower or bath ready, as well as shampoo, soap, and other supplies. After they’ve bathed, remind them to go to the sink to brush their teeth and take care of their hair. Because many older people have relatively sedentary lives, they may not need to shower or bathe on a daily basis. Bathing only three times a week might be part of the regimen.
Put in Place Safety Measures
When sufficient safety precautions are not implemented, slip-and-fall incidents can occur. Bathroom falls are prevalent owing to slick surfaces, low toilet seats, and insufficient towel racks and grab bars. Begin by installing a raised toilet seat, which elevates the seat three to four inches. Add non-slip mats on the shower or tub floor, and if your budget allows, install a walk-in tub. A shower chair or transfer bench might help loved ones who have trouble standing for lengthy periods of time. Install grab bars to help get in and out of the tub simpler for your loved one.
Engage the Service of Trained Professionals at TerraBella Southern Pines
Some family members may be hesitant to provide personal hygiene to others, and elders may be hesitant to accept hygiene aid from their loved ones. When this happens, it’s better to call in a specialist who specializes in providing direct care to the elderly.
TerraBella Southern Pines can assist with personalized care from trained team members who can help your loved ones with all elements of personal hygiene, including showering, bathing, bed baths, dental hygiene, toileting, and grooming.
