Maintaining good hygiene is essential for the elderly, but as they grow older, these tasks become more challenging. As a family caregiver, you’ll need to step in and offer assistance, but don’t overwhelm your senior parent. Below are tips you can use to ease your loved one’s fears and encourage him or her to accept personal care assistance with tasks like bathing, grooming, and toileting.
1. Explain the Benefits of Receiving Care
Most seniors are more likely to accept help when they understand how it affects their mental, physical, and emotional health. For example, if your loved one knows receiving assistance while walking to the bathroom or using the toilet could lower the risk of slips, falls, and infections, he or she may be more open to having you or another caregiver help with toileting. Always explain the advantages, and remain honest when going over the risks of taking on personal tasks with no assistance.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of homecare. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
2. Be Respectful
Remember your loved one may be learning to live with the mental and physical effects of cognitive decline, bone loss, or other age-related health problems. If you force yourself into your loved one’s personal care routine without taking his or her opinions and wishes into consideration, it could damage your relationship and put your parent’s health and safety at risk. Announce yourself before entering your parent’s room, and always check his or her comfort levels before performing a specific duty.
3. Develop a Good Hygiene Routine
When it comes to taking baths, washing hair, and other tasks that can irritate parts of the body (such as the skin), it may be best to spread the activities out. For instance, it’s okay for your parent to bathe three or four times per week instead of every day. A good routine will space the tasks out properly, reduce stress and physical issues, and never compromise hygiene.
A professional caregiver can help your loved one with a variety of tasks at home, including maintaining good hygiene. When considering elderly home care, Montgomery, AL, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits.
4. Keep Products Nearby
Organizing the bedroom, bathrooms, and other frequently used spaces can make it easier to practice good hygiene. These rooms should contain everyday products, such as brushes, combs, tissues, air fresheners, washcloths, and soap. Keeping the items nearby prevents your loved one from needing to go to other places in the home, especially during the night when he or she isn’t as alert.
5. Focus on Familiarity
Find ways to keep things as normal as possible without putting your loved one’s health and safety at risk. For instance, if your loved one enjoys using a specific shampoo or soap, continue purchasing these items. The familiarity might comfort your parent and make it easier to accept help from others. Deviating too much could increase your loved one’s risk of combativeness and poor hygiene.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Montgomery, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more. Call one of our friendly Care Managers at (334) 593-3988 to learn about ways our experienced caregivers can help your loved one.