Bathing is a constant struggle for many caregivers of seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other cognitive impairments. It’s important to keep your older adult’s body clean to prevent skin infections, reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, and avoid unpleasant body odor. But trying to get them to take a bath or shower often results in arguments, hostility, crying, or screaming. So what can you do when someone with dementia refuses to shower?
1. Establish a daily routine
Even if older adults don’t need to bathe every day, it’s often easier to establish a regular daily routine that includes bathing at the same time every day. A predictable daily routine reduces their overall stress and anxiety and makes it more likely that they’ll bathe without resistance.
2. Use positive reinforcement and don’t argue
Don’t try to argue with your older adult about how many days it’s been since their last shower, how stinky they are, or why good hygiene is important. Logic and reason don’t work. Instead, keep sentences short and simple. If they refuse to bathe and start to argue, drop the subject and move on to something pleasant. This avoids a fight that will create negative feelings that often linger. Wait and try again in a little while.
3. Say “we” not “you”
During the entire bathing experience, it’s helpful to use a calm, soothing tone and say “we” instead of “you.” This gives the feeling that you’re doing this relaxing activity together, they’re not going through it alone, and scary things won’t be done to them.
4. Make the bathroom warm and comfortable
Older adults feel cold much more easily than someone younger. Seniors often don’t like to bathe because all they remember is being cold. Making the bathing experience pleasant and comfortable will reduce objections before and during the shower. 5-10 minutes before they enter the bathroom… make the bathroom nice and warm.
5. Reduce effort and help them feel safe and relaxed
Using a shower bench or chair significantly reduces the effort needed to take a shower since they won’t need to stand and balance while soaping and rinsing. A shower transfer bench allows them to slide into the tub or shower area while staying safely seated the whole time. A shower chair would require them to step into the shower or bath before they can sit down.
6. Use a hand-held shower head to reduce fear
The overhead spray of a shower can be terrifying to a person with dementia. Before turning on the water, get them seated in the shower chair. Then, turn on the water and adjust the temperature. When the water is warm, slowly start spraying water starting their feet.
7. Make sure there are no surprises or guesswork needed
At every step, let them know what’s going to happen and coach them through it so they can do as much as possible on their own. Give them some time to do things on their own, but be ready to provide gentle assistance when needed. Plus, if they know what’s going to happen at every step, they won’t be as scared or anxious.
8. Use extra towels for comfort and warmth
While showering, some people might like to use a towel to cover body parts that aren’t currently being washed. Help them stay comfortable by keeping the wet towel warm with occasional sprays of water. After bathing, immediately wrap them in two large, dry towels to keep them from getting chilled. Getting them mostly dry before moving them out of the tub also helps to keep them warm.
Taken from an article on DailyCaring .com
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