As you get older, it can become increasingly more challenging to find the strength or energy to maintain your personal hygiene. Due to a lack of mobility, you may find it more difficult to get in and out of the bathtub, stand in the shower for long periods of time, or even get to the bathroom. And as a result, you may feel tempted to skip bathing and grooming yourself altogether. However, neglecting your personal hygiene may put you at risk for various health conditions. In this article, we will be guiding you on how you can maintain your personal hygiene as you age.
Have a Daily Routine
Practicing self-hygiene might seem like a daunting task when you lack the strength, mobility, or energy to do so. This can easily be overcome by doing up a daily routine schedule so that you can check off the tasks as you go through the day. It also helps to do the same tasks at the same time of the day so as to form a sense of stability. Tasks that you can include in your daily routine include brushing your teeth, combing hair, grooming yourself, shaving, and applying moisturizer.
Implement Safety Measures and Equipment
Most fall accidents generally happen in the bathroom at home mostly due to slippery floors and a lack of grab bars. However, this can easily be prevented by implementing proper safety measures and equipment. For example, you could place non-slip mats in the shower or bathtub, and additional mats outside the shower or bathtub. Additionally, if you find it challenging to stand or balance in the shower, you could consider getting a shower chair. It’s also important to install some grab bars that you can hold on for support when getting around the bathroom.
Purchase Comfortable and Easy-to-Wear Clothes
You might find that dressing yourself has become more challenging and exhausting. However, do note that it’s still really important for you to wear a clean set of clothes every day. To simplify things, you could consider purchasing clothes that are comfortable and easy to wear such as pants with an elastic band or shirts that are looser and has no buttons.
Dental Care
It’s important not to neglect your oral health as poor dental care can lead to various health conditions and may even lead to heart disease. As such, regular visits to the dentist for cleaning are a must to prevent any infections. Although it may seem like a chore, it’s crucial to brush and floss your teeth daily. On the other hand, if you have dentures, you should take the time to clean your dentures after eating, brush your dentures daily and soak them at night.
Nail Care
Personal hygiene also includes taking care of your nails. Failing to ensure that your fingernails and toenails are regularly trimmed short may lead to painful infections or you may accidentally scratch yourself. Remember to keep your nails dry so as to prevent fungal infections.
