Of the many symptoms of Parkinson’s, tremors in the body are some of the most common. As a result, seniors with the condition often have limited mobility, which can make bathing less safe. However, there are ways you can ensure bath time is safe for your elderly loved one, including the following strategies.
1. Purchase a Shower Chair
A shower chair is ideal if your loved one has Parkinson’s. It allows him or her to sit while taking a shower instead of standing and increasing the risk of falling on the slippery floor. A chair is often better than a bench because it has a back for added support, which can make it easier to wash hair and hard-to-reach areas of the body.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need help with the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable at-home care. Families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
2. Install a Handheld Shower Head
While sitting in the shower chair, your loved one can use a handheld shower head to rinse his or her body. You can get these types of shower heads with various settings, such as a light mist or a stronger water flow for faster washing. A handheld shower head reduces the number of movements your loved one must make while in the shower, which is especially helpful if he or she is in an advanced stage of the disease and finds it difficult to turn around or stand for more than a few minutes.
Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Montgomery seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
3. Use Soap on a Rope
Though bar soap is an option, it’s not ideal for seniors with Parkinson’s because the soap can easily fall to the shower floor, increasing the risk of slipping and falling. Soap or body wash attached to a rope that hangs on a hook on the shower wall is a better solution. Body wash also leaves the skin softer than bar soap, which can leave your loved one feeling more comfortable.
4. Adjust Water Temperature
There may be times when Parkinson’s limits your loved one’s reaction time, which means he or she might not be able to quickly adjust the water temperature if it’s too hot or cold. Set the temperature at a level that’s comfortable but not hot enough to cause injury if the handle is turned too far.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a Montgomery homecare services agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services. To learn about our premier in-home care options, give us a call at (334) 593-3988 today.