Personal Care for Seniors
Personal care is extremely important. Allow your loved one to do as much as he/she can on their own; assist only when needed. Below, you will find tips on how to make personal care easier for you and for your loved one.
Bathing
Bathing, at times, can be one of the most difficult tasks to complete. Having someone bathe us can be a very dramatic experience. It means we are becoming dependent on others. That is why it is extremely important for your loved ones to do as much as he or she can by themselves. You can provide appropriate equipment, such as hand rails, non slip mats, and detachable shower heads to make bathing easier and most importantly, safer.
If your loved one isn't ready for you to bathe them, whether it is because they are embarrassed or afraid of the water, suggest a sponge bath until they feel more comfortable.
Hair Care
Depending on the length and style of the hair, this can become a timely morning ritual. To make it easier and quicker for you, opt for shorter hairstyles that your loved one likes. Also, keep hair products to a minimum to reduce build up. There are many hair sprays on the market now that when sprayed on, you can still brush through your hair. These may be a good idea for an all-day soft hold.
Also, look for shampoos with no tears, such as Johnson and Johnson's Baby Shampoo. This way, if the shampoo gets in your loved one's eyes, it is less likely to burn. If your loved one has hair that tangles, you can either use a regular conditioner that is washed out by water or you can try the leave in conditioners that come in a bottle or a spray. Leave ins might be helpful to those loved ones who are fidgety and for caregivers that have a busy agenda. Experiment until you find something that works best.
Dressing
There are many ways to making dressing easier for your loved one. First, you can arrange their clothes in the closet and drawers in a neat manner. For example, shirts on one side, pants on the other. Or, hang up complete outfits together, such as navy pants with a cream shirt. Next, coordinate your loved one's clothes as much as possible. Black, navy, brown, tan, and white pretty much go with everything. By having matching items, you won't have to worry about redressing your loved one if he/she comes out with a pink top and bright green pants.
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