There are many reasons why elderly parents can reach a point where they are no longer maintaining good levels of personal hygiene.  You can read about these and the various ways to deal with this sensitive situation in our article on Elderly Parents who Won’t Wash.

If you have reached a point where you or other family members are stepping in to help with washing then there are helpful guidelines for doing this effectively and in a manner that will minimise embarrassment and loss of dignity.  Assisting with such a personal and fundamental aspect of a person’s daily life is of course important for their wellbeing, but it also removes part of their independence and can be damaging to self-esteem, so it is crucial to get it right.

Maintaining Good Personal Hygiene in the Elderly

Keeping elderly parents clean is vital for their physical and mental health.  It helps avoid infections and lets them feel more positive about themselves.  It also contributes to a regular routine which gives people definition and focus to their day.  Furthermore, it’s actually a good way for you to keep a close eye on health issues, taking note of any unusual lumps or bumps.

A key guideline to follow when embarking on assisting the elderly with washing is to do as little as possible but as much as is needed!

You should help them to keep doing whatever they still can for themselves.  Don’t take over aspects of personal care which your elderly parents are still able to do for themselves.  This will only accelerate any deterioration in their physical or mental abilities and will take away more self-esteem.  Even if it takes a long time for them to brush their teeth, for instance, you should encourage them to do so for as long as possible.

The less dependent your elderly parents are on you the better it is for both of you!

Think Things Through

It’s important to assess the needs of the person you will be helping carefully.  As part of this process you should consult a professional, such as your parents’ GP or nurse.  These people can provide an objective assessment of what level of help is appropriate and exactly how to provide it in a safe and reassuring manner.

You should also consider the exact nature of the problem.  If part of the reason your elderly parent isn’t washing is because of fear then you need to address that. 

• If they are scared of falling then install grab-handles. 
• If they are scared by the idea of water falling over them from above make sure you have a hand-held shower head and use it in a way that doesn’t create fear. 
• If they’re embarrassed by the idea of undressing in front of you make sure you deal with just one area of the body at a time, keeping them partly dressed.

Bed Baths for Elderly People

For anyone confined to bed, bed baths are a necessity.  Even then, however, the same principle applies: encourage elderly parents to participate and help themselves as much as they can.
It’s important to be properly prepared for the bed bath and to have someone else to assist you if possible.  Keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Gather everything you need in advance: towels, flannels, soap, water basins, a light cotton blanket and toiletries.
• Place plastic sheets or towels around the person and on the floor.
• Wash your own hands before starting.
• Ensure the water remains at a comfortable temperature for the person being washed.  Keep checking and replace it when it gets dirty.
• Keep the room warm and make sure there are no draughts.
• Use a light cotton blanket to cover the person during the wash; this keeps them warm and protects their modesty.

Make sure you thoroughly dry each area before moving on to the next, otherwise it will rapidly become cold.  You may want to apply lotions to protect against dry skin.  At all times you should keep any areas not being washed covered with the blanket.

You should start with their face and upper body, then move to the sides of the body and down the legs.  Next take great care in turning your elderly parent on their side with their back towards you.  Now you can wash the back, shoulders and bottom.

Finally you should wash the private areas with a fresh basin of water.  For all concerned this will be the most difficult element, but you must remember how important cleanliness is in this area.  If you show your own embarrassment or anxiety this will not help your parent.  Be comforting and supportive and before long this will simply be part of a familiar routine.

Full bed baths won’t be necessary every day, but it’s important to clean the face, underarms and private areas on a daily basis.

Keeping a Healthy Mouth for the Bed-Bound

Good oral health is also vital for those confined to bed so you may have to assist your elderly parent with cleaning teeth or dentures.  If you’re cleaning teeth you should use the following routine:

• If possible, have your parent sit up.  If not, turn them on their side.
• Tuck a towel under their chin.
• Make sure you are using a soft toothbrush and suitable toothpaste that is not too harsh.
• Always brush away from the gums.
• Have a glass of water handy and a bowl so they can rinse their mouth.

If your parent wears dentures then the following applies:

• It may help for your parent to swill their mouth with warm water, which can loosen dental adhesive.
• Remove the bottom denture first.  Grip the middle of the denture with thumb and forefinger and gradually rock back and forth.  Be patient!  It may take a while to come loose but too much pressure could irritate the gums.  Once loose pull it up and out.
• The upper denture may be more stubborn!  Use the same rocking procedure and focus on pulling up and out towards the nose.
• Either use a soaking agent, following the instructions on the pack, or scrub with a denture brush and appropriate paste in a bowl of warm water.
• If your parent’s mouth still retains stubborn denture fixative they should rinse with warm, salty water to loosen it.  Then use a flannel to rub the gums and palate gently until clean.
• Apply denture fixative if necessary or wet the dentures.  Then gently re-insert with even, gentle pressure until they slide into place.

Washing Hair for the Bed-Bound

This is not an easy process if someone is confined to bed.   There are ‘dry shampoo’ products available, though this is not an ideal long-term solution.

The best option is to get hold of a special bed basin.  This is designed for washing hair and is similar to the shaped basins used in hair salons.  This will help you wash your parent’s hair with a minimum of mess and discomfort, though once again having everything you need ready and to hand is important.

Nobilis In-Home Care

We understand at Nobilis the challenges faced by carers since we provide such care ourselves on a professional basis.

If you feel long-term care is making life difficult you can contact us to talk through the options.  Alternatively, if you are unsure about any aspect of looking after your elderly parents’ needs on your own we would be happy to offer advice.  We have long experience in this area and even if you’re not interested in our in-home care services you are welcome to have a chat and benefit from our knowledge.

Telephone – 0845 8620647