Caregivers should assist elders in maintaining good hygiene practices when they are no longer able to dress and groom themselves properly. The way elders clothe and style themselves may have a big influence on their self-esteem, therefore it’s crucial to stick to an easy grooming routine. Here is an essential guide on how caregivers can help with dressing and grooming.
Dressing
Choosing daily attires for elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease might be challenging. They may be dressed inappropriately for the season, choose incompatible colors, or forget to put on an item of clothing. But it’s important to allow the individual to dress independently for as long as feasible.
Reduce the number of options by putting some garments away in another room. Only keep up to three sets in their closet at a time. You may also arrange the clothes in the sequence in which they should be worn, such as undergarments first, followed by pants, a top, and finally a pullover. Alternatively, provide the person one item at a time or provide step-by-step directions for dressing if you have the time to spare.
Grooming
To help them with showering, make changes or additions to the bathroom to make it more age-friendly, such as putting grab bars, enhancing brightness, purchasing friction mats, adding a shower seat, and more. Assist mom or dad in getting into and out of the bath by providing a towel to cover themselves. Shut the doors and windows to protect their privacy, and walk away if prompted. You can also choose to wait outside the bathroom and enter only when they ask for assistance.
Mouth care is another essential daily chore to help the elderly with. As your parents can’t readily grasp their toothbrushes now, especially if they are handling arthritis, they may have difficulty cleaning their teeth. Their hands and fingers may be stiff, uncomfortable, or weaker by the day. Why not invest in an electric toothbrush if this is the case? Purpose-built toothbrushes, toothpaste pumps, and floss holders could also help to a certain extent.
Always Respect Their Viewpoints and Privacy
It might be tough for you and your family member to talk about needing help with dressing and grooming. When expressing your worries, exercise discretion to avoid making mom or dad feel targeted or singled out. Honor their habits and preferences by listening to their viewpoints. For instance, if they like to shower in the early mornings, or if they have a favorite body lotion brand they would like to keep using.
Respect your old folks and recognize that they may be physically and emotionally fragile at this stage in life. Speak gently and comfortingly while extending a helpful hand. Avoid abrupt movements as it might increase their risk of falling. Check if the bathwater temperature is appropriate while you’re at it and pay attention if they appear to be uneasy or in great discomfort.
It might be difficult to assist someone with bathing, dressing, shaving, and general hygiene chores. It will be simpler for both you and your family member if you know how to manage these sensitive scenarios. If you wish to effectively assist mom or dad with dressing and grooming, bookmark this guide and refer to it frequently.
