Posted on May 18, 2010 - by Nurse Virginia

THE BED BATH – GOOD FOR THE ELDERLY, THOSE WITH DEMENTIA, THE BED-RIDDEN, THE CONVALESCING ……

I first addressed the issue of bathing a year ago after speaking to Sheila Wilson on the radio in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Sheila is now with Curtis Media Group) Sheila told me of a friend whose mother Mary, had dementia. Mary lived in a nursing home, and due to Mary’s combative behavior the nursing home staff was asking her daughter to come on a regular basis and bathe her mother.

Instead of spending her time visiting with her mother, the staff had given the daughter a” task” and a difficult one at that.  This staff had probably never heard of the benefits of a “Bed Bath.”

The Old Fashion Bed Bath – everything old is new again.

When I was in nursing school, one of the first things they taught you was how to give a bed bath. Times have changed, and while then we were all about being fast and efficient, because everyone was getting a bed bath those days.  Today we are about what is the best thing for the elder and causing less trauma especially to the confused.

THE BED BATH:

• Assemble all of your supplies, large soft towels, two wash cloths, soap less soap (available on the internet), a wash basin for water, or a pitcher of very warm water (years ago we always used a standard wash basin, but the water became cold very fast and we had to keep changing the water for warm water, the goal here is not to let the elder get cold, and certainly not have to walk away – a better solution is to have a plastic bag large enough to hold the bath towels and wash cloths – pour warm soapy water over the towels in the bag, and take one warm moist towel out at a time)
• Tell the elder what is going to happen, and explain every step of the way what you will be doing next
• Make sure the room is warm and lights not shining in the elder’s face, soft music if possible
• Put a large towel under the elder
• Start undressing the elder, still covering them with blankets
• Take one warm moist towel out of the bag with the no-rinse soap, lay it over the elder and gently “wash” using circular motions, from the shoulders working down (change towels as necessary)
• If the elder is able, hand them a wash cloth to wash their face and hands with, then giving them a dry wash cloth to dry their face
• The last area to be washed after the legs and feet is the private areas, cleaning well front to back, once again if the person is able to this for themselves, encourage them to do so

Keeping the elder covered at all times is so important for their privacy and dignity.

See also blogs:

Elderly with Alzheimer’s disease don’t want to get undressed, get wet and really don’t want to take a bath.       July 3, 2009

Bathing a senior with Alzheimer’s disease, or when bathing becomes a challenge.

February 12, 2009

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com