No matter what age you are, good hygiene is always an important part of life. Having good hygiene promotes good health, well-being, comfort, and lets you present your best self to the world. But even so, good hygiene is especially important for older adults, as problems with hygiene for seniors can easily develop into serious health problems. For seniors, neglecting hygiene increases the likelihood of developing skin conditions, infections, and problems with oral health, which can quickly turn into very debilitating medical issues. Understanding why elderly people can have struggles maintaining their personal hygiene is the first step to finding solutions that will help your senior loved ones keep looking and feeling their best.
Older people, especially those with dementia, benefit from a consistent routine that they are able to follow daily to provide them with structure. Family and professional caregivers can work together to devise a list of tasks for seniors to complete daily in the same order. Once they become accustomed to repeating the steps of this daily routine, on the occasion they miss a step during it, they’ll be more likely to realize it, which can help them to make sure they’re brushing their teeth every morning or changing into their night clothes before bed.
Having a schedule and sticking to it can also help to foster good communication between the people responsible for caregiving. By making a schedule of tasks like cleaning the bathroom, doing the laundry, and sanitizing surfaces can help make sure that the living environment stays clean and healthy.
Safety modifications can also allow those elderly individuals with limited mobility to perform their self care tasks more independently. Bathrooms in particular can be difficult for those seniors with trouble with moving. Adding safety features like grab bars by the toilet, in the shower and tub, purchasing a shower seat, or changing out the tub for a walk-in model can all help seniors safely bathe and cleanse themselves.
For those seniors who are dealing with issues with incontinence, that is of course a major source of having poor personal hygiene, and more than that, many seniors have a significant psychological burden due to the shame or embarrassment of it. Depending on the severity of the issue, seniors can wear incontinence underwear or pads through the day, or overnight as needed for accidents.
Caregivers should also ensure proper disposal of all incontinence supplies to make sure conditions at home are as sanitary as possible. Incontinence odors on clothing and bed linens and other places around the house can linger as well. Odor removing sprays and laundry additives can help to neutralize these scents and keep the house more hygienic.
Hygiene is a private matter and people who are aging and losing their capacity to maintain it may feel uncomfortable discussing these issues for fear of embarrassment or looking weak. It is important to respect boundaries when discussing tasks like going to the bathroom or bathing. They may feel more comfortable discussing their difficulties with a doctor or a specific caregiver.
Ensuring proper hygiene is essential to the health and well-being of our aging loved ones, but it can be challenging for many seniors. With the right support, these challenges can be met with dignity and care. If your loved one needs assistance with personal care and maintaining a daily hygiene routine, we’re here to help. Contact Senior Helpers of Gilbert & Chandler today at 480-908-0976 to learn how our compassionate caregivers can provide personalized care and improve the quality of life for your loved one.