Bathing and Dementia-a funny story!
Bathing someone with dementia can be an incredibly difficult task for a caregiver. There may be loud, persistent and forceful resistance to a task that is important for infection control and basic hygiene.
We have a funny family story about my sister Nancy and showering. Nancy had Down Syndrome which progressed to early onset Alzheimers. She was capable of independent showering but generally didn’t see any need for it. She would not cooperate!
One day a family member bragged to me saying “I got Nancy to shower today!” I was amazed but confused. When I asked Nancy later about her shower she confided “ I didn’t take a shower. I just turned on the water to shut him up about it!” We all got a good laugh about that.
What’s Going on Here?
Bathing can be one of the most difficult issues with dementia caregiving. The sensory experience of hot/cold, wet/dry, noise, dignity and fear all come into play. Your standards as a caregiver for bathing thoroughness, frequency and routine may need to relax if someone is strongly resistant to bathing. It’s probably not worth the battle to demand compliance.
Give yourself a break…Sneak in a few quick swipes with a warm washcloth whenever the person is seated near a sink. Get a few quick swipes in when they are near the sink with a towel over their shoulders for warmth.
Start bathing at the back, which most people don’t find intrusive. Be ready to sneak in a few warm washcloth swipes after every toilet use.
Hand a washcloth to the patient to wash their own face and hands. Wash the hair leaning over the kitchen sink, or use a warm shampoo cap that doesn’t require rinsing.
*Simplify the process… Don’t ruin your caregiving relationship over bathing*
Reimagine your bathroom as a spa
For soap and shampoo products I favor large pump-style containers for liquids that can be used one-handed. There are wall-mounted dispensers available.
Use a soft body sponge on a long handle for the soap product, then hang it up somewhere to drip dry. The long handle enables reaching the back and feet without much effort. You don’t want a dropped bar of soap to leave a slippery trail on the bottom of the tub.
Once the shower is done, get a terry cloth robe in place ASAP. Bring a space heater into the bathroom which warms the room and also cuts down on foggy mirrors, humidity and mold.
If bathing someone is a struggle check out teepasnow.com for YouTube videos and insight into bathing and dementia.