How many times should an elderly person bathe? Times vary from twice a day to once a week, all depending on the individual's situation. If your Epic Elder is incontinent, bathing becomes a priority for all concerned. Otherwise, full-body soaks might be less of a necessity. Sponge baths might suffice for most of the time. Above all, your loved one needs to feel safe in the shower. Strive to make the time a pleasant experience.
10 Tips to Help with Shower Time:
1. Avoid bathtubs if at all possible. Stepping into a bathtub is a huge, scary step for most elderly people.
2. Provide a sturdy shower chair. This could also be a pull-down seat, permanently attached to the wall.
3. Install a hand-held sprayer. Let the water come to the person, instead of vice versa.
4. Provide a bath brush for reaching the back and feet. Flexibility may be a lovely memory!
5. Make sure the shower or tub has adequate grab bars.
6. Non-slip mats, both inside and outside the shower or tub, will help ensure fewer falls.
7. Cut down on bath product choices. Using a shampoo/conditioner all-in-one product will mean less confusion as to which bottle to use, less time spent washing hair, and fewer bottles in the bathing area.
8. Try to make the experience as pleasant as possible. Crank the tunes! Maybe a little Sinatra or Patsy Cline would make bath time more fun?
9. Provide soft, fluffy towels. Who doesn't like those?! Senior skin is more sensitive to roughness. Dry gently.
10. Finish the time off with some lotion and gentle massage. Perhaps add a little singing or chatting about what a beautiful person just emerged fresh and clean to greet the day!
