Introduction
Bathing an elderly parent can be a daunting task for caregivers. Here are some reminders to help you take care of your loved one both physically and emotionally. You may not know this, but a bath is actually an important part of good hygiene. Regular bathing prevents skin problems, as well as other health concerns that can arise from impaired hygiene such as infection and illness. While bathing your elderly parents may be easier than you imagine, it’s no excuse to take risks or neglect measures necessary to ensure their safety when they’re under the care of you or a caregiver.
These tips will help in making bathing easier for your elderly parents.
26 Safety Tips For Caregivers When Bathing An Elderly Parent
1. Educate yourself and be mindful of your environment.
2. Create a safe area with non-slip flooring and simple fixtures.
3. Create easy access to all areas within the bathroom, including the toilet.
4. Use a sturdy shower chair instead of standing in the bathtub if possible, or use a transfer bench during or after the bathing process if necessary to ensure safety upon entering or exiting the shower or tub area.
5. Be aware of your surroundings when in the bathroom. Always remove shower caps, hairnets, and shoelaces prior to bathing.
6. Watch for slips when entering the bathroom in order to be aware of bathroom safety hazards that can occur from slipping or tripping.
7. Be mindful of room light switches and cord placement when bathing your elderly parent or caregiver.
8. Keep all cords from electrical appliances (such as showerheads) away from the bathtub walls so that your elderly parent cannot inadvertently electrocute themselves if they fall over in the process of bathing.
9. Know how to operate the washing machine and all showerhead functions in order to keep your elderly parents safe when bathing.
10. Check tub fixtures periodically if they have a history of turning on while bathing.
11. Check the water temperature prior to entering and throughout the bathing process, making certain that it is not too hot or too cold.
12. Bear in mind that personal hygiene products can be potentially harmful to your elderly parent if applied to areas of the body which do not normally require personal care (i.e. eyes, mouth, hands, feet).
13. Maintain a “bathroom bag” and a small shower/bathtub stool/seat which is easily accessible anywhere in the bathroom in case of emergency. Use these items only when you have to and make sure they are immediately available if needed.
14. Never allow a sudden fall or abdominal pain to distract you from protecting your elderly parent from possible injury or harm due to slipping or falling over for the purposes of bathing them, even if it’s an accident.
15. Use non-slip, antibacterial soaps, shampoos, and conditioners to reduce the chances of slips or falls when showering or bathing. Navigate to this page for more information on caring for your elderly parent’s hair.
16. Use non-slip mats and other such items to avoid slipping on the floor of the bathroom if possible.
17. Be sure that you are aware of any medications and general health conditions that could potentially cause harm if one is not careful during the bathing process due to a lack of feeling.
18. Be mindful of bathtub/shower wall slopes and headrests, or shower chairs.
19. Prior to bathing, check your parent’s diaper area to ensure it is thoroughly dry and clean.
20. Bathing should be finished within the time frame necessary in order to prevent any possible harm due to extended contact with wet or soiled areas of skin, clothing, and bed linens
21. Always turn the heat off when getting out of the tub or shower, as this could cause it to overheat and injure your elderly parent or caregiver’s skin if they are not careful when exiting the tub/shower while sitting down or standing up when exiting the shower (especially if they have a history of falling).
22. Caregivers should also be aware of the potential hazards of heating pads while in the bathroom. Ensure they are turned off and away from the tub before one attempts to bathe your elderly parent or caregiver.
23. Be mindful of water temperature, so that it does not become too hot during the bathing
process. If necessary, you can turn off heat prior to entering the bathroom to avoid over-heating, especially if you know your elderly parent or caregiver has a history of falling due to slipping on an icy surface during bathing.
24. Avoid excessive exposure to chlorine when bathing your elderly parent as it can cause skin erosion/burns (extremely rare but possible), respiratory issues, and other health conditions if exposure occurs frequently.
25. Wash your elderly parent’s hair with shampoos, conditioners, and soaps that are gentle and suitable for their specific skin type.
26. When bathing your elderly parent or caregiver, ensure that they use the proper safety precautions when exiting the tub/shower area and are certain they are alert when exiting the bathroom area if at all possible.
Conclusion
Bathing your elderly parents can be a challenge for the caregiving team, but increasing their independence and decreasing health issues that often result from poor hygiene are only one aspect of bathing an elderly person. It is also essential to maintain safety wherever possible during the bathing process. If you need more information on caring for your elderly parent’s skin, hair, and nails, visit this page for more information on this topic.
Ultimately, these tips are intended to help caregivers create a safer environment for their parents or elderly/disabled family members. This information is based on our personal experiences with bathing an elderly parent and needs to be taken with a grain of salt as every situation is different. The most important thing is to always be mindful of your environment, as well as your elderly parents.
Keep in mind that you cannot prevent all slips and falls, but you can decrease the chances of this happening by having a safe environment for bathing and preparing before entering the bathroom area.
Also, be alert and aware of unusual body movements, as well as general health conditions which could possibly cause harm if not controlled during bathing.