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Tips from the Guide

Bathing and Personal Care

It may be difficult and unpleasant to see someone neglect grooming, cleanliness, and personal appearance. You may find yourself angry with the person who also refuses your kind offers of assistance, embarrassed about how your loved one may appear to others, frustrated by irrational claims like: “I just had a bath this morning” or “these are clean clothes,” or falsely thinking the person’s lack of cleanliness is a reflection on you.

Set realistic goals that balance an acceptable level of cleanliness with the hassle factor involved. Work on accepting that some bathing is better than no bathing at all!
 

Dementia Changes You Might See

Many people with dementia go through a phase when they seem to be terrified of bathing or showering. After all, bathing is something that most adults have been doing independently throughout their lives. They might misinterpret requests to remove clothes or have a terrible time admitting that they need help with this process. People with dementia may have trouble:

• Remembering to change clothes or to bathe.
• Completing the complex task of bathing and following the important sequence of tasks associated with bathing.
• Performing the motor tasks necessary to complete a bath.
• Realizing their need for assistance.

• Remembering or accomplishing tooth-brushing, hair care, or shaving.

   

10 Tips to Try

1. Identify the person’s usual bath time and routine; you’ll probably have more success if you continue this pattern. Write bath times on the weekly calendar as a visual reminder.
2. Try a bath chair or bench (available in home health stores) and a handheld shower nozzle. This may be less frightening than immersion in a tub or having water sprayed from a stationary showerhead. You could also work with a home health company for therapy to have an OT assess and make sure assistive equipment is fitted correctly. 
3. Set up the bathroom for success by having all necessary items collected and ready (towels, any special soap/lotion, clean clothes, etc.). Consider labelling these items to help your loved one or a hired caregiver.
4. Allow privacy and consider the temperature of the bathroom and the shower water—allow it to warm up! Having a robe or towel easily accessible helps the person feel less exposed. Some care partners have had much success with the use of a towel warmer, heat lamps within the bathroom and even playing favorite music to improve the experience for the person with dementia.
5. Try to break the task down into small steps and talk the person through: “here’s the washcloth, wash your face.” Encourage the person to do as much as possible to increase feelings of self-esteem and confidence.
6. Arrange something to look forward to after bathing (e.g. having a cup of tea and cookies) to soothe and replace frustrating bath time feelings. You can even mention this while in the middle of the bathing process to help encourage you both to make it to the finish line!
7. The gender of the person who is helping may make a difference in the person’s acceptance of help. You may need to call on a family member or hire an aide to assist with bathing from a home care agency.
8. Utilize beauty/barber shops for hair care (one less task for you and most people with dementia enjoy being “pampered” in this way).
9. Electric toothbrushes and shavers may be easier to use when you have to take over these tasks for the person. Introducing them while the person is able to adapt may lessen resistance and/or fear later on.
10. If all else fails, try products that may provide “waterless” baths (such as hand sanitizer gels and dry shampoos).

 

Looking for more tips?

These tips are just one part of Insight's Caregiving at a Glance Guidebook, a fingertip guide for families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's. Techniques and strategies to empower caregivers address topics such as: troublesome behaviors, communication, eating, bathing and more.