“No, not today. No, not today. No, I’m not going to. Not now, not ever.”
Have you ever heard this at your elders’ bath time? You are not alone if you face resistance to washing as the caregiver.
Bathing avoidance or resistance is widespread among patients in nursing homes or other settings.
In fact, it is a challenge that personal care personnel faces regularly in almost any type of health facility. It can also happen in your home.
What is the issue?
- Pick a good time for a conversation about the seniors’ bath time, and try to determine what it is about bathing that is troubling them. Or oversee their reactions to observe what precedes their resistance or objections to bathing.
- Maybe they had a bad experience in the past which is influencing their behavior today.
- They could be afraid of an accident while bathing.
- If they are dealing with dementia, it may be that bath time is too complicated, and just the thought of it becomes frustrating.
- Perhaps they’re embarrassed and need more privacy.
- What could be changed in the bathing routine? The place, the schedule, the other people involved?
Make the setting for bathing as relaxing and pleasant as possible.
- Make sure the room is free of fall hazards for you, the caregiver, and the bather.
- Try to be gentle.
- Consider their preference for the temperature of the room and water and even the temperature and texture of the washcloth and towels.
- What kind of bath do they prefer: a sponge bath, a shower, or a tub bath? How wet do they like to be?
- What can you do to make the environment more inviting and pleasant? Could you use a room deodorizer or a scented candle to make the area fragrant? Please allow more time, or play relaxing music, for example.
Prepare the environment, just for them, before the bath. The point is to give them complete control over everything. The goal is for them to bathe somehow. Adjust everything else possible according to their wishes, with safety a priority.
Consider the schedule of bathing. How often should one bathe to stay healthy and clean? Talk to your nurse or doctor for specific recommendations about sanitation and the patient’s condition.
Re-schedule bath time for a time when everyone is relaxed, not hurried. Try a morning bath, and then dress for the day. On the other hand, a nighttime bath might help one sleep better.
When talking to seniors about bath time, stress the benefits of bathing to look, feel, and smell better.
Apply powder, cologne, deodorant, lotion, and makeup after bath time for pampering.
Give attention to hair styling.
Massage their feet and neck after a bath.
Apply nail polish after bath time. Bring out the mirror and a nice robe.
The task of bathing itself.
Consider what the bather can do and what you, as a caregiver, must do to ensure safety. What can the bather do for himself? Allow the bather the independence to do as much as he can himself in as much privacy as possible while bathing.
Careful! As the caregiver, you must be attentive to the bather’s ability to get into the tub or shower and to get out safely.
Think about the bather’s position, so they are supported and balanced the whole time they are in the bath. There are many types of bath seats, shower wands, and other equipment to help make the bath safer and more secure.
Consider how you, the caregiver, can move about comfortably while bathing the patient. Look out for leaning low over the tub, lifting someone too heavy to raise alone, slipping on slippery surfaces, or getting wet and chilled yourself.
Give it some thought.
Think through these concerns. They may assist you and make bath time more enjoyable.
To Conclude
Bathing can be a challenging experience for hesitant seniors. As caregivers, it’s crucial to figure out why the elderly are scared and find ways to make bath time as pleasant and easy as possible.
This could mean thinking about their bath type and temperature needs, creating a relaxing and safe environment, and giving the seniors as much independence and privacy as possible while keeping them safe.
Moreover, rescheduling bath time for when everyone is calm and emphasizing its advantages for hygiene and looks can also prove beneficial.
By taking care of these things, caretakers can make it fun for both the elderly person and themselves to take a bath.