One common frustration with many family caregivers is having to fight with their elderly relative about regular bathing. There are plenty of reasons why some aging adults refuse to bathe or shower regularly. Once the family member finds out what the obstacles are, they can gently and patiently assist their elderly mom or dad in finding a solution.
Often, the fights come because one or both sides have set expectations about showering and bathing. Adult children may feel like the aging adult needs to shower or bathe every morning, while the senior thinks every few days is fine. For the most part, studies show that seniors don’t necessarily need to bathe every day if their bathroom hygiene is good. Setting a schedule for a shower or bath every few days can reduce tensions.
Sometimes, seniors are uncomfortable or afraid to bathe or shower. Many worry about a slip and fall accident, while others don’t trust themselves balancing on slippery tiles. Family caregivers can provide the right equipment so that seniors feel safe. Common items include grab bars, non-slip rugs, shower or bath chairs and hands-free soap dispensers. When elderly adults feel more safe and secure in the bathroom, they may be more likely to bathe or shower.
Mental health issues are a little harder to overcome. As seniors become more dependent on family caregivers and elderly care providers, they struggle to control some aspects of their life. Showering and bathing can become a power struggle with frightened seniors who dislike the reversal of roles from parent to child. Other times, seniors are simply embarrassed that their grown children will be helping them in such an intimate and vulnerable way. The solution is to hire an elderly care provider to come in a few times per week to help the senior with bathing and showering.
Another way to get elderly adults to regularly bathe or shower is to break up the two separate issues of washing hair and washing the body.
Many elderly adults don’t like twisting and bending in the shower or bath to get their hair wet, lathered and rinsed. Instead, an elderly care provider can help the senior wash their body only, which should go quickly. Then on a different day, they can help with only washing the hair in the sink or a portable hair washing station. This makes two short sessions rather than a long and uncomfortable one.
How Can Home Care Services Help?
Hiring an elderly care provider can make almost every issue surrounding showers and baths for seniors to disappear. These trained assistants know how to do the job quickly, carefully and professionally. They know how to preserve an elderly person’s comfort and dignity when it comes to showers and baths, providing quick and respectful service. Any family caregiver that is ready to give up the fight with their elderly mom or dad about showers or baths should get in touch with an elderly care provider.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Home Care Services in Orinda, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
- Do You Need Help with Personal Care for Your Senior? - September 16, 2019
- Causes and Risk Factors for Shingles in the Elderly - September 12, 2019
- Five Reasons Your Senior Might Need a Daily Routine - September 5, 2019
