How many times should an elderly person bathe? Times vary from twice a day to once a week, all depending on the individual’s situation. If your Epic Elder is incontinent, bathing becomes a priority for all concerned. Otherwise, full-body soaks might be less of a necessity. Sponge baths might suffice for most of the time. Above all, your loved one needs to feel safe in the shower. Strive to make the time a pleasant experience.
10 Tips to Help with Shower Time:
- Avoid bathtubs if at all possible. Stepping into a bathtub is a huge, scary step for most elderly people.
- Provide a sturdy shower chair. This could also be a pull-down seat, permanently attached to the wall.
- Install a hand-held sprayer. Let the water come to the person, instead of vice versa.
- Provide a bath brush for reaching the back and feet. Flexibility may be a lovely memory!
- Make sure the shower or tub has adequate grab bars.
- Non-slip mats, both inside and outside the shower or tub, will help ensure fewer falls.
- Cut down on bath product choices. Using a shampoo/conditioner all-in-one product will mean less confusion as to which bottle to use, less time spent washing hair, and fewer bottles in the bathing area.
- Try to make the experience as pleasant as possible. Crank the tunes! Maybe a little Sinatra or Patsy Cline would make bath time more fun?
- Provide soft, fluffy towels. Who doesn’t like those?! Senior skin is more sensitive to roughness. Dry gently.
- Finish the time off with some lotion and gentle massage. Perhaps add a little singing or chatting about what a beautiful person just emerged fresh and clean to greet the day!
