Thank you for joining us for another Quick Tips episode of All Home Care Matters. If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, they may need help in the bathroom. On our last Quick Tips episode, we discussed mealtime tips for loved ones with dementia.

 

Today, we are talking about the difficulties your loved one faces with bathing and how you can help them while allowing them their independence and dignity. We also will be giving you a few helpful items and products to use in the bathroom. Now let’s move on to the rest of the show.

 

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, as a person’s dementia progresses, they will need more help with everyday activities such as washing, bathing, and dressing. For most adults, these are personal and private activities, so it can be hard for your loved one to adjust to this change. You can support a person with dementia to wash and dress in a way that respects their preferences and their dignity.

 

Personal care activities, including washing and bathing, can be a source of anxiety for people with dementia and their caregivers. Needing help with something so personal can be difficult to accept, and the person you care for may feel self-conscious or embarrassed. It is important to respect their privacy as far as you can.

 

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, your loved one may only need a reminder to bathe. As they progress, they will need more and more assistance, eventually needing your help to do the simplest of hygiene tasks, such as brushing their teeth.

 

Daily Caring says that it’s important to keep your loved one's body clean to prevent skin infections, reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, and avoid unpleasant body odor. But trying to get them to take a bath or shower often results in arguments, hostility, crying, or screaming and ruins everyone’s day, skyrocketing your stress level, as well as your loved one’s.

 

Before you remind your loved one to bathe or tell them it is time to bathe, prepare the bathroom for them. Preparing everything for them in advance can help lessen their anxiety over the event and can help them do more on their own. You can put any shampoos and body washes they use in order, have towels out and ready, and any chairs or benches already in place. Making the room a nice temperature can also help your loved one be more comfortable during this time.

 

Daily Care recommends that you make sure there are no surprises or guesswork needed during bath time. Bathing takes so many steps, it’s no wonder that it’s overwhelming for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia. But even if your loved one doesn’t know what to do next, they’ll likely still remember how to do it. At every step, let them know what’s going to happen and coach them through it so they can do as much as possible on their own. This gives them control and improves self-confidence. Plus, if they know what’s going to happen at every step, they won’t be as scared or anxious. For example, you could say “Let’s rub the soap on your arm now. That’s great. Now we’ll rinse the soap away with the water.”

 

When bathing a loved one, don’t change the way they bathed before they needed your assistance. If they prefer taking showers, don’t try to give them a bath instead (unless they are now a fall risk). And the same goes for baths. If they like baths more, don’t try to give them showers.

 

Using a shower chair and a transfer bench can help make bathing safer for your loved one. If they take showers, a handheld showerhead can also help reduce your loved one’s anxiety, as well as help them clean themselves easier.

 

If bathing is a constant battle, remember that your loved one doesn’t need to bathe every day, unless they are incontinent. Bathing twice a week is enough for most older adults. You can also help them bathe with sink baths in between bathing times if they have a lot of anxiety or anger during bath time. They can use no-rinse products during sink baths, as well.

 

Family Caregiver Alliance says that a fear of bathing may be related to a number of factors such as fear of falling, fear of the water, fear of being cold, loss of dignity in being naked in front of you, or feeling vulnerable in the coldness of a bathroom. Your loved one may not know how to voice their fears, but you should try to listen when they tell you they don’t want to bathe. There is usually a real reason, at least to them, as to why they shouldn’t bathe at that specific time.

 

Daily Caring suggests that you use positive reinforcement and don’t try to argue with your older adult about how many days it’s been since their last shower, any body odor they may have, or why good hygiene is important. Logic and reason don’t work with Alzheimer's. Instead, keep sentences short and simple and focus on the positive, fun activities that come after the bath.

 

For example, when the bathroom is warm enough, go over to your loved one, make eye contact, and smile. Extend your hand so they’ll take it, get up, and let you escort them as they walk (toward the bathroom). After they’ve started walking, say something like “Let’s go shower now and then we’ll have a yummy snack (cookies, juice, etc.) and do something fun.”

 

As you walk, keep the conversation focused on the snack or fun activity to avoid discussing or arguing about the shower. “Those chocolate chip cookies are your favorite, aren’t they? And we can put together that puzzle with the beautiful birds.”

 

If you consistently take this type of approach, taking a shower becomes associated with positive things like their favorite snack or activity. If they refuse to bathe and start to argue, drop the subject and move on to something pleasant. This avoids a fight that will create negative feelings that often linger. Wait and try again in a little while.

 

After-bath care is just as important as bathing. Having a bath time routine that includes after-bath care can make bath times go smoothly for everyone. The Alzheimer’s Association says that you should check for rashes and sores, especially if your loved one is incontinent or unable to move around. Have your loved one sit down while drying and putting on fresh clothes. Make sure they are completely dry. Pat them dry instead of rubbing and use cotton swabs to dry between the toes. Once they are dry, gently apply lotion to keep skin soft and use cornstarch or talcum powder under the breasts and in the creases and folds of skin. If your loved one will not use deodorant, you can use baking soda, instead.

 

After bathing and dressing, help your loved one get ready for the day. This may include helping them style their hair, shave their face, or put on make-up. If they need help with any of these activities, always ask first. Don’t ever try to automatically do something for someone with Alzheimer’s. Doing something for them without asking them takes away their autonomy and can embarrass them.

 

The Alzheimer’s Society says that you should be aware of the likes and preferences of the person with dementia, and not make assumptions about how they would like to look or what others think they should wear.

 

Outfits, accessories, or make-up that they choose may have religious, cultural, or sentimental importance to them and be an important part of their identity. As long as they are not at risk of harm, it is important that you allow your loved one with dementia to express their identity through choices about their appearance.

 

For more information on Alzheimer’s and how you can support a loved one with Alzheimer’s, visit our YouTube channel, where we have an entire playlist dedicated to Alzheimer’s and dementia.

 

We want to say thank you for joining us here at All Home Care Matters, All Home Care Matters is here for you and to help families as they navigate long-term care issues. Please visit us at allhomecarematters.com there is a private secure fillable form there where you can give us feedback, show ideas, or if you have questions. Every form is read and responded to. If you know someone is who could benefit from this episode and please make sure to share it with them.

 

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Sources:

https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/bathing

 

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/washing-dressing#content-start

 

https://dailycaring.com/7-tips-to-get-someone-with-alzheimers-to-take-a-bath/

 

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/bathing-dressing-and-grooming-alzheimers-caregiving-tips

 

https://www.caregiver.org/resource/bathing-dementia/