Talking to an Elderly Person About Hygiene

Most elderly people were once healthy, strong adults who took an interest in their appearance, or at the very least made sure they stayed clean. Unfortunately the elderly may no longer be able to care for their own hygiene, or even recognise that it is lacking. If you need to talk with an older adult about personal hygiene be sure to show them the respect they deserve and look at their limitations as possible warning signs about their health. Assist with personal care supplies and work out a hygiene routine to help keep your loved one as fresh and healthy as possible.

Show Respect

The elderly are not children, no matter how limited they are in caring for themselves. Remember this when speaking with an older adult and do everything you can to show respect and protect his or her dignity. Letting someone know that their personal hygiene is substandard can be embarrassing for all involved, so if you feel that the news is better communicated by a carer or medical professional then seek one out. Don’t nag your loved one about hygiene as that has the potential to backfire and make him or her even less likely to perform activities like bathing, shaving and change clothes. Instead, broach the subject in a private place and make it clear that you are concerned and want to offer assistance.

Look for Warning Signs

When older people’s hygiene slips it can be a sign that they are experiencing health problems. Observe your loved one and ask him or her outright if there is a reason (s)he is not keeping up the same standards. Consider if it could be that:

• Joint pain does not allow him or her to open jars/tubes/bottles.
• Decreased strength means (s)he can not press down on sprays.
• Unsteady balance keeps him or her out of the bath or shower.
• A decreased sense of smell means (s)he doesn’t notice odours.
• Failing sight means (s)he doesn’t see his or her appearance clearly.
• Part of a past hygiene routine now causes them physical pain.
• (S)he has trouble remembering the last time (s)he bathed.
• A cavity or infection keeps him or her from practising good oral hygiene.
• The hygiene products (s)he once favoured are now unavailable.
• Medications are bringing on new side effects.
• Depression means (s)he doesn’t care anymore.
• Confusion makes hygiene tasks unsafe.

Assist with Supplies

Once you determine why an older adult is not keeping up with hygiene you can offer to help him or her amass the supplies (s)he’ll need to get back on track. Not only can you restock necessary products, but re-organise bedrooms or bathrooms so that everything is within easy reach. You may also be able to purchase adaptive equipment such as bath rails to help your loved one with his or her tasks. Don’t forget to purchase:

• Soap, body wash and/or bath bubbles.
• Wipes for the face or body.
• Antiperspirant or deodorant.
• Toothpaste and/or mouthwash.
• Denture cleaning products.
• Shaving supplies or electric shaver.
• Shampoo.
• Shower cap.
• Personal wipes to keep near the toilet.
• Incontinence products.
• Nail clippers.
• Body lotion.
• Perfume or cologne.

Work Out a Routine

Once you have re-stocked all of your loved one’s personal care supplies you might want to work out a routine with him or her. Consider purchasing a large calendar on which you can mark down particular appointments, for example a weekly trip to the salon or the day a personal care assistant will be over, and make dates for when you will come over to help with activities like drawing baths, giving a manicure or going shopping for more supplies. Hang a list of important phone numbers for emergency contacts (doctor, dentists, friends and relatives close by) near the calendar so all information about health and hygiene is centralised. Make a list of personal care items that your loved one can tick off when she needs more. Also invest in medicine containers marked off with the days of the week so that you and your loved one can be more confident that (s)he is staying on track with her medicine schedule.

Talking to an elderly person about hygiene is a delicate situation. Show older adults the respect they deserve, look at their limited hygiene routines to determine if there are warning signs of health problems, assist with getting and arranging personal care supplies and work out a routine so that you and your loved one both feel confident about their personal hygiene in the future.

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