Most Effective Tactics for Bathing Seniors

Elderly woman in wheel chair with caretaker touching face with wash cloth. Text reads: "most effective tactics for bathing seniors"

Basic duties in life can become a struggle for seniors. One of these is bathing. This is a personal and private matter for all of us. For seniors, who may have weakened motor skills and/or debilitated muscles,  bending to reach their hands backward or downward toward their feet, can be difficult.  Getting assistance like personal care services in the greater Scottsdale, Phoenix AZ could be very helpful for both your elderly loved ones and for their family members. However, if you would like to help out with bathing you can use these simple efficient strategies:

  1. Always encourage the person to bath him/herself
    This is also to give them a sense of independence. You can assist them with areas that are difficult for them to reach like the back and toes as they hold a washcloth.
  2. Take a bath only when necessary
    Since bathing can be difficult for some, you can reduce it to two so that he/she can be fresh during the day and night. Some people do not actually need a daily bath as long as their hands, face and genital areas are washed every day. This also applies during colder seasons when taking a bath may be difficult due to low temperatures.
  3. Have the room comfortably warm
    The right temperature can offer the body relaxation benefits. Personal care services in the greater Scottsdale, Phoenix AZ, always use temperature deliberately as part of the plan for your seniors. The right temperature can also greatly affect their mood and disposition.
  4.  Let them keep their privacy as much as needed
    Even with a personal care assistant, seniors value their privacy and independence. They should be covered most of the time but should be allowed to do what they desire as long as the nursing staff approves.
  5. Place bars, non-slip bath mat and other things to aid them during bathing
    Most seniors want to stay in control of their bodies for as long as they can. Holding onto something rather than someone can help them retain a sense of independence.

Get Home with Help’s personal care services in the greater Scottsdale, Phoenix AZ today, and experience personal care to a whole new level. Your elderly loved ones will be able to continue onto their daily lives without doing much of the housekeeping and other personal care necessities. Contact us today for more information about our personal care services in the greater Scottsdale, Phoenix AZ!