According to many doctors, seniors should bathe at least twice each week. Frequent bathing is essential for preventing skin conditions and infections, especially urinary tract infections. However, if your aging loved one has Alzheimer’s, bath time can be challenging. Here are a few suggestions to make bathing a more pleasant experience for your loved one.
Start with Positive Reinforcement
Remind your loved one how good he or she will feel after having taken a warm bath. Try to speak in soothing tones, and let him or her know you’ll do something more enjoyable immediately afterward. Congratulate your loved one on every step he or she takes to assist you in this process.
Professional caregivers can assist seniors with bathing and other daily tasks. Families looking for top-rated home care service providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From Reston respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
Schedule Bath Time According to Familiar Routines
If your loved one is used to bathing in the morning, schedule this activity when he or she wakes up. If your parent is accustomed to showering late at night, make this a part of the bedtime ritual. Keeping the routine as familiar and predictable as possible limits the amount of resistance you’re likely to encounter.
Get the Water Temperature Just Right
Be mindful of the fact that seniors can have extremely sensitive skin. Water that feels just right to you could feel scalding hot to your loved one. Ask your loved one to test the water temperature before encouraging him or her to climb in. Preventing the shock of freezing cold or scorching hot water is important for ensuring the bath goes smoothly.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of senior care Reston, VA, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Gather Bathing Materials in Advance
If you have to spend time searching for the shampoo or a washcloth, your loved one may become agitated. Don’t start running the water until you have everything you need on hand. The process of getting everything set up in a predictable fashion can leave both you and your loved one feeling far less flustered.
Turn on the Heater
Get the room temperature at a comfortable level well ahead of bath time. Stepping out of a warm bath into freezing cold air can be unpleasant and may cause your loved one to develop negative associations with this process. Have a warm, comfortable towel ready as well as a soft bathrobe and any other items you think will keep your loved one feeling relaxed and content.
If your senior loved one has Alzheimer’s and needs help managing daily tasks, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of elderly home care. Reston Assisting Hands Home Care Reston provides reliable caregivers around the clock to help your loved one age in place safely and comfortably while living with Alzheimer’s disease. Schedule a free in-home consultation by giving us a call today at 703-556-8983.
