Caring for seniors can mean a barrage of activities, from activities such as taking them out for a walk to the smallest details such as helping them to take a bath, brushing their teeth, or helping them to dress up. While we might be able to easily take care of our hygiene, helping a senior to take care of theirs requires patience, skill, as well as preparation.
If you are planning to spend time at home and become the caregiver for your loved one, it is imperative to know how to accomplish tasks easily while still maintaining their dignity. Read on to find out more about personal care for seniors.
Body Hygiene
One of the biggest reasons seniors require assistance with daily tasks is due to hygiene concerns. Yet, the tasks required to stay hygienic are also the ones that can appear the most invasive and humiliating for seniors. As such, it is important to build trust with the seniors you are taking care of and have honest discussions with them about what they are comfortable with. This can be greatly affected by many different factors such as the relationship between you and the senior you are providing care for.
Ensuring a Certain Degree of Independence
While seniors may require help to accomplish certain tasks due to physical limitations, they should continue to do the activities they can independently as much as possible. Independence gives seniors a sense of purpose and becomes an avenue that allows opportunities for achievement. Apart from that, doing tasks independently also helps to promote positive feelings.
Following their Regular Routine
While caretaking may be a big step for you, it is also likewise the same for seniors. Before planning out the activities you intend to do, find out what are your loved one’s routine. Following their routine will help seniors to feel more at ease and comfortable. For example, if your loved one tends to take showers in the morning, follow suit as far as possible. Apart from the activities, you should also try to use the same items that they are used to as much as possible, such as toothpaste, washcloths, soaps, and shampoos.
It is important to understand that for seniors, caregiving can be very invasive to their private space. As such, it is recommended for caregivers to do what they can to keep seniors as comfortable as possible.
Bathing Tips
Without the right tools and accessories, helping your loved one to shower can prove to be quite overwhelming. This is especially so if the person you are caring for has balance issues. If that is the case, you should consider making use of certain equipment that make bathing safer such as:
- Nonslip adhesives on the shower floor
- Installing grab bars in toilets and showers
- Using a handheld shower spray
- Using a bath bench or shower stool
It is also imperative to clean under skin folds, which are areas such as the neck, stomach folds, genitalia, as well as chest area. Do note that some seniors are more comfortable with holding towels around their private areas until they need to be cleaned.
If caregiving proves to be too challenging, then assisted living options may just be what you and your loved one need. Not only do they help with the daily activities for seniors, but they also help to ensure a clean and neat environment.
