Bathing
This document was uploaded by user and they confirmed that they have the permission to share it. If you are author or own the copyright of this book, please report to us by using this DMCA report form. Report DMCA
Overview
Download & View Bathing as PDF for free.
More details
- Words: 1,731
- Pages: 5
February 2008
Name of Organization Address Line Phone Number
Caregiver Assistance News “C a r i n g
f o r
y o u … c a r i n g
f o r
o t h e r s ”
Bathing Sponge, Tub or Shower As a caregiver, you may find that some of your time each day will be devoted to assisting the person in your care with personal hygiene.
Adapted from The Comfort of Home: Caregiver Series, © 2008 CareTrust Publications. www.comfortofhome.com
The Sponge or Bed Bath People who are confined to bed need bed baths. Baths clean, stimulate, and increase blood flow (circulation) in the skin. However, they can also dry the skin and in some instances cause chapping. Thus, you must decide how often a bed bath is needed. Your decision must be based on the situation of the person in your care. For example, if urinary incontinence (leakage), bowel problems, and heavy perspiration are present, a daily bath may be in order. If not, bathing 2–3 times per week might be enough as daily bathing is hard on older skin. Caregivers may think they know what the person needs or wants, but it is always better to ask. At bath time, inspect the whole body for pressure sores, swelling, rashes, moles, and other unusual conditions.
NOTE
Remove all electrical equipment that could get wet from the bathing area.
If baths are given often and the skin is dry, use soap and water one time, lotion and water the next. Cornstarch and powder can cause skin problems in some people. Ask the nurse on your health care team for advice. To avoid spreading germs, always wash your own hands before and after giving a bath. At each step, tell the person what you are about to do and ask for his or her help if they are able. Make sure the room is a comfortable temperature and not too warm. Gather disposable gloves, mild soap, washcloth, washbasin, lotion, comb, electric razor, shampoo—and clean clothes. Use good body mechanics (position)—keep your feet separated, stand firmly, bend your knees, and keep your back in a neutral position.
Always start washing at the cleanest area and work toward the dirtiest area.
Ca r egi v e r A s si s tan c e N e w s l ett e r
February 2008
Continued from page 1
The Tub Bath If the person in your care has good mobility and is strong enough to get in and out of the tub, he or she may enjoy a tub bath. Be sure there are grab bars, a bath bench, and a rubber mat so the person doesn’t slide. 1. Check the water temperature before the person gets in. 2. Guide the person into the tub. Have the person use the grab bars. (Don’t let the person grab you and pull you down.) 3. Help the person wash. 4. Empty the tub and then help the person get out. 5. Guide the person to use the grab bars while getting out. OR you can have the person stand up and then sit on the bath bench. Swing first one leg, then the other leg, over the edge of the tub. Help him stand. 6. Put a towel on a chair or toilet lid for the person sit on to dry off.
© 2008 CareTrust Publications
If a bath bench is not used, many people feel more secure if they turn on to their side and then get on their knees before rising from the tub. This is a very helpful way to get out of the tub if the person is unsteady. Wash mitts (terrycloth gloves) are better than holding a washcloth.
The Shower Some people with dementia and older people can become frightened by the sound and feel of running water. It may be soothing to let the person smell the soap and feel the towel. Be sure the shower floor is not slippery. For safety’s sake, be sure there are well-placed grab bars. 1. Explain to the person what you are going to do. 2. Provide a shower stool. 3. Turn on the cold water and then the hot to prevent burns. Use gentle water pressure. 4. Clean the less sensitive parts of the body such as the feet first. 5. For safety, ask the person to hold the grab bar or to sit on the shower stool. 6. Move the water hose around the person rather than asking the person to move. 7. Assist in washing as needed. 8. Guide the person out of the shower and wrap with a towel. Turn the water off. 9. If necessary, have the person sit on a stool or on the toilet lid.
Ca r egi v e r A s sis tan ce N e w s l ette r
February 2008
Taking Care of Yourself
Foods Getting the Most From from the food g the most nutritional value tin get for s tip y eas me so Here are it has. For d you eat, the more nutrition foo the er sh fre the st, Fir . you eat s keeps them from ting your fruits and vegetable era rig ref ugh tho n eve ce, tan ins the amins when you leave them in vit me so of re mo or lf ha e los spoiling, they can or two. refrigerator more than a week t—choose fruits amins and minerals in your die vit of y iet var a get to y eas It’s s. h your eyes and your taste bud bot e as ple l It’l . ors col ent fer and vegetables with dif t aming them, use a small amoun ste en Wh s. ble eta veg r you Don’t overcook ccoli should are tender. For instance, bro y the til un y onl m the am ste of water and be bright green, not olive green. e container with a c wrap or put them in a storag sti pla h wit ers tov lef ap Wr in the fridge. tles of juice. Store everything snap-on top. Put a cap on bot
Live Life Laughing!
Inspiration
You cannot always have happiness, but you can always give happiness.
My wife ran off with my best friend. I bet you miss him.
The Basin Bath
© 2008 CareTrust Publications
If the person in your care can be in a chair or wheelchair, you can give a sponge bath at the sink. Wash the face first. Wash the rest of the upper body. If the person can stand, wash the genitals. If the person is too weak to stand, wash the lower part of the body in the bed.
Alzheimer’s Care Bathing Our Purpose
To provide caregivers with critical information enabling them to do their job with confidence, pride, and competence.
Ordering Info From the publishers of Caregiver Series available from… CareTrust Publications LLC PO Box 10283, Portland, OR 97296 800-565-1533 or www.comfortofhome.com Comments and suggestions welcome. ©2008 CareTrust Publications LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any component of this publication is forbidden without a license from the publisher. Some content in this publication is excerpted from The Comfort of Home: Caregivers Series. It is for informational use and not health advice. It is not meant to replace medical care but to supplement it. The publisher assumes no liability with respect to the accuracy, completeness or application of information presented or the reader’s misunderstanding of the text.
Bathing is often called the most challenging activity for both the person with dementia and the caregiver.
Bathing Tips: • Water splashed on the face can be frightening for the person with Alzheimer’s. Use a washcloth on the face. • Running water can be scary. Face the person away from it. • Removing clothes can be frightening or painful and cause a feeling of loss. Don’t rush. • If you have to bathe someone and he refuses, consider waiting until after he takes a nap, and then use a sponge bath. • Think of things that might relax the person—soft background music; make sure the bathroom is warm.
• Assistive items such as a shower with a hand-held nozzle, a shower chair in the stall, or bath bench can be helpful if you know how to use them correctly. • Use distractions if the person is nervous or uncomfortable to try to take his attention away from the water or what is scaring him. • Have all necessary items at hand because you cannot leave the person alone to go get something.
N E X T I S S U E … m e d ication assistance
Bathing—February 2008
Caregiver Assistance News “C
a r i n g
f o r
y o u
…
Q u i c k
c a r i n g
f o r
o t h e r s
”
Q u i z
© 2008 CareTrust Publications
1. Frequent bathing keeps the skin moist and prevents chaffing. TF 2. It is good idea to make the room hot before bathing. TF 3. When bathing a person, start washing at the cleanest part and work toward the dirtiest. TF 4. When guiding a person into the tub, let them hold on to you and use the grab bars as a last resort. TF 5. Terrycloth wash mitts are better for washing the body than a washcloth. TF 6. When using a shower, spray and clean the less sensitive parts of the body such as the feet first. TF 7. When drying the person, it’s better to have them stand while you towel him or her off. TF 8. Choosing a variety of colors in your fruits and vegetables will give you a variety of vitamins and nutrients. TF 9. Keeping fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator preserves their nutritional value as long as they aren’t spoiled. TF 10. Steam vegetables only till they are tender, not until they lose their color. TF Name ________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________Date_________________________
Key: 1-F; 2-F; 3-T; 4-F; 5-T; 6-T; 7-F; 8-T; 9-F; 10-T
Bathing is a part of good hygiene, however it can be dangerous when the person in your care does not have good mobility and the bathroom does not have well-placed grab bars. Read this issue and answer True or False to the questions below.
Name of Organization Address Line Phone Number
Caregiver Assistance News “C a r i n g
f o r
y o u … c a r i n g
f o r
o t h e r s ”
Bathing Sponge, Tub or Shower As a caregiver, you may find that some of your time each day will be devoted to assisting the person in your care with personal hygiene.
Adapted from The Comfort of Home: Caregiver Series, © 2008 CareTrust Publications. www.comfortofhome.com
The Sponge or Bed Bath People who are confined to bed need bed baths. Baths clean, stimulate, and increase blood flow (circulation) in the skin. However, they can also dry the skin and in some instances cause chapping. Thus, you must decide how often a bed bath is needed. Your decision must be based on the situation of the person in your care. For example, if urinary incontinence (leakage), bowel problems, and heavy perspiration are present, a daily bath may be in order. If not, bathing 2–3 times per week might be enough as daily bathing is hard on older skin. Caregivers may think they know what the person needs or wants, but it is always better to ask. At bath time, inspect the whole body for pressure sores, swelling, rashes, moles, and other unusual conditions.
NOTE
Remove all electrical equipment that could get wet from the bathing area.
If baths are given often and the skin is dry, use soap and water one time, lotion and water the next. Cornstarch and powder can cause skin problems in some people. Ask the nurse on your health care team for advice. To avoid spreading germs, always wash your own hands before and after giving a bath. At each step, tell the person what you are about to do and ask for his or her help if they are able. Make sure the room is a comfortable temperature and not too warm. Gather disposable gloves, mild soap, washcloth, washbasin, lotion, comb, electric razor, shampoo—and clean clothes. Use good body mechanics (position)—keep your feet separated, stand firmly, bend your knees, and keep your back in a neutral position.
Always start washing at the cleanest area and work toward the dirtiest area.
Ca r egi v e r A s si s tan c e N e w s l ett e r
February 2008
Continued from page 1
The Tub Bath If the person in your care has good mobility and is strong enough to get in and out of the tub, he or she may enjoy a tub bath. Be sure there are grab bars, a bath bench, and a rubber mat so the person doesn’t slide. 1. Check the water temperature before the person gets in. 2. Guide the person into the tub. Have the person use the grab bars. (Don’t let the person grab you and pull you down.) 3. Help the person wash. 4. Empty the tub and then help the person get out. 5. Guide the person to use the grab bars while getting out. OR you can have the person stand up and then sit on the bath bench. Swing first one leg, then the other leg, over the edge of the tub. Help him stand. 6. Put a towel on a chair or toilet lid for the person sit on to dry off.
© 2008 CareTrust Publications
If a bath bench is not used, many people feel more secure if they turn on to their side and then get on their knees before rising from the tub. This is a very helpful way to get out of the tub if the person is unsteady. Wash mitts (terrycloth gloves) are better than holding a washcloth.
The Shower Some people with dementia and older people can become frightened by the sound and feel of running water. It may be soothing to let the person smell the soap and feel the towel. Be sure the shower floor is not slippery. For safety’s sake, be sure there are well-placed grab bars. 1. Explain to the person what you are going to do. 2. Provide a shower stool. 3. Turn on the cold water and then the hot to prevent burns. Use gentle water pressure. 4. Clean the less sensitive parts of the body such as the feet first. 5. For safety, ask the person to hold the grab bar or to sit on the shower stool. 6. Move the water hose around the person rather than asking the person to move. 7. Assist in washing as needed. 8. Guide the person out of the shower and wrap with a towel. Turn the water off. 9. If necessary, have the person sit on a stool or on the toilet lid.
Ca r egi v e r A s sis tan ce N e w s l ette r
February 2008
Taking Care of Yourself
Foods Getting the Most From from the food g the most nutritional value tin get for s tip y eas me so Here are it has. For d you eat, the more nutrition foo the er sh fre the st, Fir . you eat s keeps them from ting your fruits and vegetable era rig ref ugh tho n eve ce, tan ins the amins when you leave them in vit me so of re mo or lf ha e los spoiling, they can or two. refrigerator more than a week t—choose fruits amins and minerals in your die vit of y iet var a get to y eas It’s s. h your eyes and your taste bud bot e as ple l It’l . ors col ent fer and vegetables with dif t aming them, use a small amoun ste en Wh s. ble eta veg r you Don’t overcook ccoli should are tender. For instance, bro y the til un y onl m the am ste of water and be bright green, not olive green. e container with a c wrap or put them in a storag sti pla h wit ers tov lef ap Wr in the fridge. tles of juice. Store everything snap-on top. Put a cap on bot
Live Life Laughing!
Inspiration
You cannot always have happiness, but you can always give happiness.
My wife ran off with my best friend. I bet you miss him.
The Basin Bath
© 2008 CareTrust Publications
If the person in your care can be in a chair or wheelchair, you can give a sponge bath at the sink. Wash the face first. Wash the rest of the upper body. If the person can stand, wash the genitals. If the person is too weak to stand, wash the lower part of the body in the bed.
Alzheimer’s Care Bathing Our Purpose
To provide caregivers with critical information enabling them to do their job with confidence, pride, and competence.
Ordering Info From the publishers of Caregiver Series available from… CareTrust Publications LLC PO Box 10283, Portland, OR 97296 800-565-1533 or www.comfortofhome.com Comments and suggestions welcome. ©2008 CareTrust Publications LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any component of this publication is forbidden without a license from the publisher. Some content in this publication is excerpted from The Comfort of Home: Caregivers Series. It is for informational use and not health advice. It is not meant to replace medical care but to supplement it. The publisher assumes no liability with respect to the accuracy, completeness or application of information presented or the reader’s misunderstanding of the text.
Bathing is often called the most challenging activity for both the person with dementia and the caregiver.
Bathing Tips: • Water splashed on the face can be frightening for the person with Alzheimer’s. Use a washcloth on the face. • Running water can be scary. Face the person away from it. • Removing clothes can be frightening or painful and cause a feeling of loss. Don’t rush. • If you have to bathe someone and he refuses, consider waiting until after he takes a nap, and then use a sponge bath. • Think of things that might relax the person—soft background music; make sure the bathroom is warm.
• Assistive items such as a shower with a hand-held nozzle, a shower chair in the stall, or bath bench can be helpful if you know how to use them correctly. • Use distractions if the person is nervous or uncomfortable to try to take his attention away from the water or what is scaring him. • Have all necessary items at hand because you cannot leave the person alone to go get something.
N E X T I S S U E … m e d ication assistance
Bathing—February 2008
Caregiver Assistance News “C
a r i n g
f o r
y o u
…
Q u i c k
c a r i n g
f o r
o t h e r s
”
Q u i z
© 2008 CareTrust Publications
1. Frequent bathing keeps the skin moist and prevents chaffing. TF 2. It is good idea to make the room hot before bathing. TF 3. When bathing a person, start washing at the cleanest part and work toward the dirtiest. TF 4. When guiding a person into the tub, let them hold on to you and use the grab bars as a last resort. TF 5. Terrycloth wash mitts are better for washing the body than a washcloth. TF 6. When using a shower, spray and clean the less sensitive parts of the body such as the feet first. TF 7. When drying the person, it’s better to have them stand while you towel him or her off. TF 8. Choosing a variety of colors in your fruits and vegetables will give you a variety of vitamins and nutrients. TF 9. Keeping fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator preserves their nutritional value as long as they aren’t spoiled. TF 10. Steam vegetables only till they are tender, not until they lose their color. TF Name ________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________Date_________________________
Key: 1-F; 2-F; 3-T; 4-F; 5-T; 6-T; 7-F; 8-T; 9-F; 10-T
Bathing is a part of good hygiene, however it can be dangerous when the person in your care does not have good mobility and the bathroom does not have well-placed grab bars. Read this issue and answer True or False to the questions below.
Related Documents
Bathing
October 2019 13
Bathing Newborns
December 2019 22
Hamam Bathing Soap
May 2020 2
Checklist Bed Bathing
June 2020 4
