How to Help Seniors Bathe

1. How to Help Seniors Bathe We previously wrote about Bathing Safety for Alzheimer’s patients and how Safety Bath could play a huge role in making their experience more positive and pleasant. However, in general, many seniors need help with bathing due to issues with their health, mobility or confidence. If you’re a family member stepping in to helpas a caretaker, here’s some tips on how to help your senior bathe. Make a Consistent Schedule Routine helps seniors know exactly what to expect from their daily agenda. If they see that a bath has been marked on the wall for particular days of the week, that consistency will help them prepare for what’s to come. It’s also important to make time in order to avoid stress. Make the Bathroom Safe Similarly, to our previous post, a bathroom needs to feel comfortable and safe. Remove any potentially harmful objects from the immediate vicinity or anything that can obstruct their path. Look into purchasing a Safety Bath tub that has slip- resistant flooring. Ensure the water is at a safe temperature, depending on the state of their health. Hot water can increase blood pressure and this is not good for people with heart problems. Find Useful Add-ons or Assistive Devices Our step-in doors which are part of our conversion kits are the perfect example of useful add-ons that allow ease of access in and out of the tub. Safety bath’s Custom Safety Seat / Transfer Bench is another great add-on to your bath tub that lets the senior sit in a comfortable position while providing the caregiver an easier angle to help them bathe. Make things Simple Simple unscented soaps are perfect for seniors’ skin. Using an anti-bacterial smooth liquid soap with added moisturizers rather than bar soaps won’t trap bacteria or leave any residue behind. Create a Positive Response to Bathing Address any potential fears or negative associations with bathing and attend to them by listening and providing actions to ensure that their bath will go smoothly. Talk about fun topics, ease their tension and make them feel like they are in control of the situation and that they aren’t being ordered around. To learn more, take a look at our range of products and contact us today!