Helping your senior mom or dad shower can be nerve-wracking. Helping someone else shower is harder than people think if you are not trained to do it. If your senior parent needs assistance showering, getting dressed, or transferring in and out of bed, personal care at home is a great option.
Personal care at home means that your senior parent will receive assistance with potentially dangerous tasks from a kind and compassionate caregiver who has training and experience helping seniors with hygiene tasks and transferring. They know the safest methods for transferring, showering, and dressing your mom or dad.
According to the caregivers that specialize in personal care like showering these tips can help you make sure that your mom or dad is safe while showering:
Install Grab Bars
Install grab bars in the shower area to provide stability and support for your senior parent when entering, exiting, or moving around in the shower. Position the grab bars strategically at various heights so that if your senior parent starts to slip there is always a bar nearby they can grab.
Use Non-Slip Mats
Place non-slip mats or adhesive strips on the shower floor to reduce the risk of slips and falls. These mats provide traction and stability, especially on wet surfaces, helping your senior parent maintain their balance while showering. Non-slip mats are also a great thing to put on the stairs and in hallways.
Adjust Water Temperature
Set the water heater to a safe temperature to prevent scalding or burns. If the water gets too hot your senior parent could get hurt or slip and fall trying to adjust the water temperature. Install a handheld shower also so that they can always drop the showerhead and move it away quickly if the water gets too hot.
Install a Shower Chair or Bench
Put a shower chair or shower bench in the shower so that your senior parent can sit down while they shower. This provides a stable and secure seating option, allowing them to shower comfortably and safely.
Organize Shower Supplies
Keep shower supplies within easy reach, such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and washcloths, to minimize bending, reaching, or stretching. Use wall-mounted caddies or shower organizers to store items securely and maintain a clutter-free shower environment.
It’s also a good idea to put carpet tape or some kind of rough glue on the outside of the bottles so they aren’t slippery. Some people put drink cozies on the bottles so they are easier for a senior to grasp.
Get Some Bathing Aids
Provide bathing aids such as long-handled sponges or brushes to assist your senior parent in reaching and cleaning difficult-to-reach areas of their body. These aids can help promote independence and thorough hygiene during showering.
Install Anti-Scald Devices
Consider installing anti-scald devices or thermostatic mixing valves in the shower to regulate water temperature and prevent sudden fluctuations that could lead to burns or discomfort. Even slightly hot water can burn seniors because they have very thin and delicate skin.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Carrollton, TX, please contact the caring staff at Clear Path Home Care today at (817) 928-5788
Clear Path Home Care provides compassionate, high-quality home care in Denton County, Montague County, Cooke County, Grayson County, Fannin County, Lamar County, Wise County, Collin County, Hunt County, Delta County, and Hopkins County in Texas.
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