Encouraging Bathing Hygiene In An Alzheimer’s or Dementia Patient

 No Rinse Shampoo Cap (5-Pack)Bathing Hygiene Can Become A Battle When Dealing With An Alzheimer’s Or Dementia Patient

I’ve recently become a member of several Facebook groups all dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia patients.

Through perusing the many stories of people having a hard time getting those with Alzheimer’s or dementia to bathe, I saw a trend developing.

It seems that the deeper the patient sinks into demented behavior, the harder it is to get them to do the simple tasks you and I do most days – brush our teeth, use the bathroom, shower or bathe, wash our hair, etc.

Washing Mom’s hair became difficult as she just didn’t like it any more – it was too exhausting for her those last weeks to get into the shower. That’s how I found those No Rinse Shower Caps you see there to the left.

Pop one in the microwave, pop it on the head, squish it around (it stays dry on the outside), take it off, and, voila! Freshly showered hair, just slightly damp and ready to be styled.

If we were running late, I’d just use one of the good dry shampoos on the market. I use this on my own hair and love that dry shampoo will keep the style but refreshen my hair.

I decided to take all the tips I could find (like warming towels in the dryer, using red accessories, etc) and compile them into this one hopefully helpful article. I hope to give you some ideas about how to encourage bathing hygiene in the elderly.

If you have any more ideas, I’d love for you to leave me a comment below. This article will be ever evolving with the addition of the information I find in the comments so bookmark it and come back to visit (ya’ll….).

And, did you know that Red Bathroom Accessories can greatly help a dementia patient use the bathroom? Yep, it’s true!

Warm The Bathroom

A common undertone to those who are frustrated trying to get their elderly Alzheimer or dementia loved ones to bathe is the issue of first getting them into the bathroom.

A common complaint is ‘it’s too cold.’

Make the bathroom more inviting by warming the room before you even mention a shower or bath to an Alzheimer’s patient. Hopefully, you have a heat lamp installed in the ceiling but, if not, consider buying a very small ceramic heater to plug-in 10 minutes before bath time.

Note: obviously, take care to keep the heat source removed from any water!!!!

I’ve heard of people using hair dryers but I’m not sure that’s the safest option. Here’s some better ones:

 Holmes Digital Bathroom Heater Fan with Pre-Heat Timer and Max Heat Output, HFH436WGL-UM Lasko Bathroom Heater CD08200 DeLonghi HVF3555TB Bathroom Safe Fan Heater

Bribe ‘Em With Warm Towels After….

You might get a better response to a shower if your loved one sees that there is a warm towel at the end of the bath.

 Knox Aluminum Towel Warmer Rack – Freestanding or Wall Mountable – 6 Bar Electric Warm Bath Towel Heater Homeleader Towel Warmer and Drying Rack, Heated Towel Rack, Wall Mount and Free Standing, 100W Conair Therma Luxe PTW1 Towel Warmer

Add Grab Bars To The Bathtub Or Shower

Grab bars are a no-brainer in my little mind (pun fully intended).

The minute Mom moved in, I added grab bars all over the house. I even had one placed in the living room next to her chair so she’s have something to hold onto sitting and standing.

Note: I’ve added a link for a suction-type grab bar which I normally wouldn’t have done. BUT, this suction grab bar actually has a gauge on it so you’ll know for certain it’s safe (green means it’s secure, red means it needs to be reapplied).

For my money though, I’d hire a handyman and have permanent grab bars installed in the shower.

Moen 8732 Home 32-Inch Bathroom Grab Bar, StainlessGrab Bar by Vive – Suction Shower Handle & Bathroom Balance Bar – Safety Hand Rail Support – Handicap, Elderly, Injury, Senior Assist Bath Handle, Non Skid (12 in.)Medline Bath Tub Safety Grab Bar, Microban

Make Bathroom Surfaces Less Scary

As the elderly decline, their eyesight wanes significantly – this is typical of everyone. But…..

Ever had an Alzheimer’s patient stop in their tracks when they were just walking along fine? No amount of pushing, cajoling, or pleading can make them move? ‘Why?’ you might ask? Read on, dear friend.

To those of us with normal vision, we can easily recognize a black floor or a white counter. But, to an Alzheimer’s patient? It’s a whole different story – visual perception ain’t what it used to be

Black and white surfaces can be particularly confusing to those battling dementia. With visual perception failing, black surfaces can look like holes, white color can be equally confusing as they tend to fade into the background.

Using a bright color, like red, seems to help those with Alzheimer’s understand surfaces better. You might be surprised how just adding a red bathroom rug may change bath time.  Make sure any bathroom rugs are non-slip.

 Walensee Shaggy 2 Piece Bath Rug Set, (20 x 32, 2 Pack Set, RED) Bathroom Rug Set Bath Mats for Bathroom Machine Wash/Dry Absorbent Bathroom Mats Set Non Slip Plush Rug Sets for Shower 3 Pieces Bathroom Rugs, Anti-Slip Chenille Bath Rug, Super Absorbent Luxury Shaggy Bath Mats Set, Perfect Plush Carpet for Tub, Shower, Bath Room,Machine Washable (Maroon RED) LuxUrux Bathroom Rug Set–Extra-Soft Plush Bath mat Shower Bathroom Rugs,1” Chenille Microfiber Material, Super Absorbent (Rectangular Set, Red)

Bathing Can Be Exhausting. Make Baths Or Showers Relaxing…And Safe

Baths or showers can be exhausting for our elderly. I ran into this with my own Mom who, thankfully, dd not have dementia.

It just exhausted her, having to stand in the shower, while I did all the work. Once I added a shower chair so she could just scoot over into the bathtub, it became much easier to get her to shower.

 Duro-Med Heavy-Duty Sliding Transfer Bench Shower Chair with Cut-out Seat and Adjustable Legs, Gray ZCHSBH02 – Shower Chair with Back Bamboo Shower Seat Bench with Storage Shelf for Seating, Support & Relaxation, Spa Bath Bench Stool Perfect for Indoor or Outdoor Use by Bambüsi

Add Non-Slip Decals To The Floor Of The Shower Or Bathtub

Add red non-slip decals to the floor of the tub for two reasons: they will give safe skid-proof footing for wet feet and they also will break up a white tub so that your elderly loved one will recognize the floor.

 Extra Long Vinyl Bath Mat – Red Gorilla Grip Original Patented Bath, Shower, Tub Mat, 35×16, Washable, Antibacterial, BPA, Latex, Phthalate Free, Bathtub Mats with Drain Holes, Suction Cups, XL Size Bathroom Mats, Pink Opaque Non-slip Rubber Shower Massage Bathroom Bath Mat,Stall Floor Bath Safety Squishy Bathtub Mat for Homes, Hospitals, Care Homes, Hotels, Gyms (Red)

Water Can Hurt

People who are just beginning on their dementia journey report that, sometime, shower water is painful as the water stream is too hard. Try to soften the flow or choose a shower head with different variations of spray.

A helpful tip if water hurts is to cover your elderly loved one with a small towel and run the water through the towel. The towel will soften the water on their skin.

Note: NEVER spray an Alzheimer or dementia patient in the face! And, give them a small towel for modesty, if needed. With Mom, we just let it all hang out!

I suggest a new handheld shower for more control over the type and direction of water spray.

 ShowerMaxx Shower Head Premium 6 Spray Settings | Luxury Spa Detachable Handheld Showerhead | Extra Long Stretchable Stainless Steel Hose, Adjustable Mount & Teflon Tape | Chrome Hand Held Finish Aquarius Handheld Shower Head With Hose (Extra Long) Luxury Spa Grade High Pressure Hand Held Showerhead With 6 Spray Settings – Includes Adjustable Mount Holder & Teflon Tape – oil rubbed bronze Aquarius Handheld Shower Head With Hose (Extra Long) Luxury Spa Grade High Pressure Hand Held Showerhead With 6 Spray Settings – Includes Adjustable Mount Holder & Teflon Tape- Premium Chrome Finish

Make Bathtime Fun With Some Favorite Music

Caregivers report that music can calm the savage beast and, believe me, those with Alzheimer’s or dementia may have some pretty strong convictions – like, ‘I’m NOT showering!’

Adding music to the bathroom just might be enough to get your favorite senior citizen interested in finding out what’s going on in there!

 Classic Old-Time Music Old Time Rock & Roll Dino The Essential Dean Martin

Tearless Shampoos

Tearless shampoos haven’t really changed over the years. It’s still the best option to have in the bathroom when it comes to showering an Alzheimer’s or dementia patient.

 Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, 15 Fl Oz Live Clean Baby Gentle Moisture Tearless Shampoo & Wash, Baby Soap, 300 mL Amazon Brand – Solimo Baby Shampoo, Lavender & Chamomile Scented, 15 Fluid Ounce Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo for Blonde and Silver Hair, 31.5 Ounce Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash: Silver Color Depositing Shampoo Concentrate, 10 Vivid and Pastel Colors, Stops Fade, 1 Quick Wash, Cleanse + Color, No Sulfates, No Cruelty, 100% Vegan Pantene Silver Expressions Brightening Purple Shampoo, for Gray/Silver Dyed and Color Treated Hair, with Biotin and Vitamin E, 9.6 Fl Oz

no When All Else Fails, Sponge or Bed Baths May Be The Only Option

Sponge baths are good for ‘touch ups’, if you ask me, but, if this is the only option for your elderly loved one, go for it.  You can only do what you can only do!

 Comfort Bath Value Size! Personal Cleansing, Ultra-Thick Disposable Washcloths, 4 packs of 8 No Rinse Bathing Wipes (8 count each) – 5 Pack (40 wipes) BabaMate Natural Bamboo Baby Bath Sponge – 2 Pack – Ultra Soft & Absorbent Sponge For Baby’s Sensitive Skin, Biodegradable, Hypoallergenic Special 1 Pack of 3 – No Rinse Body Bath 16 oz bottles – NRN910 Foaming Body Cleanser by Nurture | No Rinse Body Wash & Shampoo That Cleanses, Moisturizes, and Protects Skin and Hair – Non Allergenic – Non sensitizing – Wipe Away Cleanser – 3 Bottles EZ Access Inflatable Shampoo Basin for the Disabled