Bathing and Alzheimer’s Disease

Senior Care HIghland Park IL - Bathing and Alzheimer’s Disease

If you care for an elderly loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you know already that there are complications. If you are new to caring for this loved one, you might not yet know about the complications that arise during bathtime. However, there are some tips that can help to make bathtime go smoother for you and your loved one. If a senior care provider is in charge of bathtime, make sure they have these tips available to them, as well.  

Empowerment Means Everything 

One of the things that you want to do with your elderly loved one is to empower them as much as possible. When someone lives with this disease, they feel like they are losing control and their independence. This is why it is very important that you and their home care providers give them choices every day. In the instance of bathtime, instead of telling them they have to take a bath now, ask them “Would you like to have your bath after breakfast or now?” This makes them feel like they are in control. When they feel in control, they are less likely to have behaviors.  

Privacy is Important 

Yes, your elderly loved one is going to need help taking a bath. However, you and their senior care providers should still make sure to respect their privacy. If your loved one can hold the towel on their own, you can have them do that while someone gets them undressed. You could do this same thing for when they are getting dressed, if possible. It will make them feel more comfortable and like their privacy is being respected. If they can still get themselves dressed, turn away after helping them bathe, so they can pull their own clothes on.  

Routines 

Many people with Alzheimer’s disease will get angry when they are told it is time to take a bath or a shower. However, if you make the bath or shower a part of their routine every day, this can reduce the behaviors they have. They will be used to taking a bath or shower at a certain time every day, so it won’t be as big of a deal as if they were only taking one every few days.  

Get More Help 

If you are becoming overwhelmed with bathtime and your loved one’s behaviors, it might be time to hire some more help. There are people who are experienced in handling the behaviors of someone with Alzheimer’s disease. If you don’t already have senior care providers there to help you and your loved one, make the call today to hire them.  

These are some of the tips for making bathing more successful and easier when someone has Alzheimer’s disease. Use these tips to help bathtime go smoother for your elderly loved one.  

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

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Highland Park IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

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