Helping the individual you care for with their hygiene will take up part of your time daily. Care for the feet, nails, and lips also fall under this category. Here are some pointers from hygiene assistance philadelphia to make quick work of these chores.
Bathing
In the bathroom, patients who require assistance in washing themselves might benefit greatly from a shower head attached to a flexible hose.
Advice on Senior Bathing Safety
- Prepare the patient’s clean clothes, towels, and supplies before taking them to the bathroom.
- Check if the room temperature is ideal for the patient; it is usually just fine for them if it makes you uncomfortable.
- Cover the patient’s privates out of respect for their dignity.
- Give them a towel-lined shower stool to sit on while they dry off.
- Before getting into the shower, check the water temperature and make any necessary adjustments. Some people may be very sensitive to even moderate water pressure, so take care when applying it.
- Some patients want to go into the tub before adding bath water. But first, you need to get the water temperature under control. Once you are done, drain the water from the tub and help the patient.
- Help with washing as needed, but make sure to tell the patient what you are going to do before you touch them.
- The individual being rinsed should stand still as the water hose is maneuvered around them.
- Help them get out of the tub or shower and wrap them in a towel. If the patient is shaky, have them sit on a stool so you can help them get dried off and dressed.
- Because of the potential for sparks from an electric razor, you should never use it on someone who is on oxygen.
Cuticle Treatments
If you are caring for someone’s nails, keep an eye out for any signs of discomfort or infection. This is especially crucial for someone with diabetes, as even a mild infection can quickly worsen their condition. Use alcohol to disinfect any nail care tools that are being used by many people in the same household.
- Gather your tools: soap, a bowl with water, a towel, a nailbrush, a pair of scissors, nail clippers, a file, and lotion.
- Clean your hands.
- The individual in your care should have their hands and feet washed with soap and water, and then they should soak for five minutes in a basin with warm water.
- Use the brush to exfoliate the nails, releasing any accumulated grime softly.
- After washing your hands, use a towel to dry your nails and then carefully push back the cuticle.
- Nails should be clipped crosswise rather than down to prevent ingrown nails.
- Lightly round off rough edges using a nail file.
- Lotion the hands and feet and massage them gently.
