How Home Health care takers give bath and shower to elders?

One of the most challenging tasks of home health care takers is giving a bath to their clients. Cleanliness ensures that the person does not develop diseases and is free from infections. Helping the person with a shower is also an excellent time to inspect the body for any rashes or sore skin.

A bathing schedule varies from person to person. Some prefer showering twice a week, while others do it twice daily.

It is recommended to give the person as much privacy as possible and try to only help them with what they ask for. This instills a sense of dignity and self-esteem in the person. Of course, there will be times when they will feel that they’ll be able to do everything by themselves. In such circumstances, the home care taker should be patient and deal with the situation professionally.

Remember, if the person hates being around water, then try going for a sink bath or, in cases where the patient is serious, a bed bath.

How to help with a shower?

Make notes of some of these prerequisites of giving a shower to elders:

• There should be shower aids available, for example handrails for support and bath benches
• A nonskid mat should be present in the shower so that no one slips
• Make sure that the area around the shower floor is dry

You’ll need the following materials:

• Towels
• Bath sponges
• Washcloths
• Soap
• Tear-free shampoo
• Body lotion for dry skin

A removable shower head with a long hose is preferred for washing.

Steps:

• Make sure that you are relaxed when you help to undress the person. This will not make the person feel awkward.
• Set up the shower supplies
• Apply soap to the sponge or washcloth and give it to the person. If they are unable to clean up on their own, then step in. Wash areas that they can’t reach.
• Remember to start washing the cleanest areas first and end with the less clean. Start with the face and arms and follow with the torso and back and finally the feet and groin area.
• Do not try to apply pressure on red areas. It will cause more tissue damage.
• Wash your client’s hair with tear-free shampoo
• Help the person sit on the shower chair.
• Help them rinse off or do it yourself if it’s difficult for them.
• Finally, help them dry off

Apply body lotion if the person wants it. Remember to communicate during the entire procedure with a relaxed and cheery frame of mind. Keep a robe ready for the patient to wear after the shower.

In a bathtub

Bathing in a bathtub is way safer than a shower. Keep the area around the bathtub dry, just like a shower, and wipe extra water around the tub off. Fill the tub with water and check the temperature to ensure it’s not too cold or hot. Also, ask the person if the temperature and depth of the water are appropriate.

It is advisable to keep a small heater in the bathroom so that the patient remains warm. Place a chair beside the tub where the person can sit and then easily put their legs in the tub.

The steps of bathing in a bathtub are somewhat the same as helping with a shower. The difference is that there’s less risk of slipping and harming oneself in a bathtub than in a shower.

Let the person select the clothes of their choice. The clothes should also be easy to wear, for example, clothes with Velcro instead of tight buttoned clothing are preferred.

Bed Bathing

Go for bed bathing only if there’s no other alternative. This is because it is not as effective as a shower or a bath. Use a single-use disposable bowl because plastic wash bowls can become contaminated. Don’t use reusable washcloths as they can give habitat to bacteria. A waterproof sheet should be available so that the bed sheet doesn’t get wet.

Please note that you will need a second care giver in case of bed baths to provide assistance.

Steps:

• Make sure that the bed height is appropriate
• Place the waterproof sheet under the patient
• The client must be lying on his/her back
• Remember to uncover only parts of the body at a time
• Wash the person’s body with a face cloth
• Gently massage with the facecloth from top to bottom
• With the assistance of the second caregiver, make the person lie on their side
• Clean the genital areas
• Wash the hair with a no-rinse shampoo
• Apply body lotion to the arms, legs, and other dry areas.

In a Nutshell

Everyone likes to be around clean and groomed individuals. Providing a bath to an elder is not everyone’s cup of tea. It requires patience, endurance, and, most importantly, passion. Home health care takers are experts in helping patients with showers and baths, and you should immediately hire one if you think a loved one is getting neglected. The results will put a smile on both the patient’s and caretaker’s faces.

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