The most common concern among older adults is hygiene, but an in-home caregiver who wants to address this issue must use a technique to get them to bathe regularly and dress in clean and decent clothing. The fact is you are not alone in this journey and that numerous caregivers face similar situations and frustration. While a mild case of dirty look and body odor can be a lesser concern, other aging adults forget their hygiene so much that it can risk their overall well-being. For instance, it can put them in danger of having urinary tract infections or skin infections and put a restraint on their mental health, too. But what can you do if orderings in taking baths or showers result in discussions and hatred? Part of the problem in taking baths is knowing what causes Aging Loved One refusal.?
Reasons why Aging Loved Ones May be Refusing to Have Better Hygiene?
You may be surprised to know that your mother, who used to love bathing regularly, dressing to impress people, and wearing fabulous makeup, has quickly stopped doing all that stuff. And she has become more comfortable wearing the same wrinkly and dirty clothes day after day. If you find it the case, it is good to consider depression as one of the main problems. Because depression is not always clear to the family members and relatives, consider taking your aging loved one to the doctor for a mental health evaluation. The likely reason for the depression of your aging loved one might be the feeling of having no independence or power over their lives, and the only way they can return it is by rejecting the things, such as bathing.?
Aging loved ones may also have the nose blind- meaning they cannot smell their body odor as fast as younger people since their sense of smell is no longer as strong as it used to be. Other elderly folks are simply bored, miss track of time, and do not even recognize how long it has been since they last took a bath. Furthermore, this refusal in bathing may be the result of cognitive decline and memory loss. Apart from boredom and depression, other aging loved ones are scared of taking showers because of the danger of falling in the bathroom. They believe it is an area filled with hard surfaces, slick, and their sense of equilibrium and agility are no longer the same as they used to have.?
Convincing your loved one who has dementia to take showers adds a whole story of problems. While it is tough enough to sway a senior with all their cognitive declines to take a bath, getting a person with dementia in the tub can be more challenging and overwhelming. The fact is the elderly folks may experience all the previously discussed problems, like depression, nose blind, and discomfort or fear. It is why Hospital to Home Care is necessary for elderly folks having issues with bathing and other daily activities.?
How to Convince Your Senior Loved One to Take Showers
Reexamine your thinking around insisting your aging loved one why they should bathe. Talking to aging loved ones about their hygiene can go a long way to a better and healthier outcome. Gently discuss things when pointing out soiled clothing, body odors, or an untidy appearance, as some elderly folks may be unaware of it. If they are silent, keep in mind that arguing over something is never effective. Once you convince your aging loved one to bathe, you can give some positive reinforcement by praising your aging loved one on how they smell and look, as many seniors love attention and compliments.?
Hiring an in-home caregiver to come in can be an enormous help, too. Some aging loved ones are contrary to the idea at first, but others may find it less embarrassing to have an expert assisting them in bathing than their children. Not only that, but caregivers are trained people in helping your loved ones do their day-to-day activities, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, respectfully and comprehensively.?
If you find that your aging loved one has problems in other areas than just their hygiene, it might be the perfect time to think about hiring an in-home care provider, so they can receive the hands-on care and supervision they need and deserve.?
To learn more about our in-home care services at Senior Buddies, contact us today! With our dedicated caregivers, we are confident to offer you the best in-home care services in Dallas and surrounding areas. Give your aging loved one quality and only the best in-home care.?
Varsha