Tips to
Assist the Elderly in Bathing Safely
Bathing
becomes more difficult with age, however, there are plenty of aids available
in recent years on the market, to make this necessary hygienic task a lot
easier.
.
| Most
authorities, care homes, hospitals, in fact anyone dealing with bathing
of the elderly prefer showers to baths as they are safer and easier.
You can purchase walk in showers and baths and have your own shower or
bath adapted, or purchase a brand new one, which will be fitted for you
in your own home. These are fairly expensive either to adapt or to
install from new.
If
you don't want to go to the expense of the above, any mobility shop will
be happy to show you, or someone shopping for this sort of thing for you,
a wide range of help mates. There are bath steps if you have difficulty
climbing into the bath e.g. it may be too high. Bath seats are very
popular as they are very comfortable and strong, you can also get bath
seats, which are electronically lowered and raised into the bath, these
can actually be provided by Social Services if your condition is needy
for this sort of device. You can buy an |
|
inflatable
bathing aid, which are very comfortable, and very expensive, if you have
the wherewithall and enjoy baths why not!
Most
shower trays are ridged to prevent slipping, but you may need extra help
you can buy safety treads which are non-slip and very easy to apply in
a shower or bath. Plus for easy transfer from bathroom floor to bath
a bathboard with a handle can be purchased. A lot of elderly people have
to take a shower, or be showered seated, there are various types of shower
stools and seats to suit every taste available these days.
You
may have an arm or leg in a plaster cast or a dressing, you can buy cast
and bandage protectors for use when washing or taking a shower/bath, to
avoid wetting the cast or dressing.
I,
myself, use a bath pillow for comfort and reading in the bath, but they
are also used to prevent pressure sores for those at risk of developing
them.
Some
elderly people often have to have their hair washed in bed if they're immobile,
you can buy a blow up shampoo basin, which is very similar to having your
hair washed at a back wash in a hair salon.
 |
There
are various grab rails, handles and bars to fit bathrooms, by the side
of toilets, inside shower cubicles, in fact anywhere assistance is required
to push yourself up. In recent years a lot more aids have been added
to bathing aids such as body washers, if you cannot reach down your back,
or washing hard to reach areas, lotion applicators, if bending is a problem.
Hair washers are available, again if you cannot reach upwards to apply
shampoo and rinse your hair. These small aid accessories are very
reasonably priced and worth a small outlay to make hygiene easier.
Many
mobility shops will have catalogues you can peruse, or if computer literate
there is a lot of online information on mobility aids. In fact these
days there |
is no
need for you to struggle or suffer to keep yourself clean!!
By Janice L. Joplin
Nursing
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