Tips for Helping Senior Loved Ones with Personal Hygiene

As seniors age, they may require help with more than cooking and cleaning around the home. Some seniors need caregivers to step in and assist with personal hygiene tasks, such as bathing, washing their hair, brushing their teeth, or using the restroom. Below are some ways you can help your aging loved one manage hygiene tasks.

Determine What Assistance Is Necessary

Before planning a personal hygiene schedule, determine what your loved one needs assistance with. This step could allow your loved one to maintain as much independence as possible, keeping them in excellent physical, mental, and emotional shape.

Some of the most common reasons seniors need assistance with personal hygiene tasks are mobility problems and difficulty with critical thinking and memory skills. When deciding what to help your loved one with, your family may discover health problems no one knew existed. Explaining these issues to your loved one’s doctor might allow the physician to get a handle on the health condition and slow its progression while offering your loved one comfort.

Caring for older adults with memory loss can be difficult for some family caregivers. Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA), a leading provider of memory care. Services available in our customizable care plans include mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.

Set a Schedule

Setting times for bathing and dressing is essential, as it keeps your loved one ready to handle the tasks without worrying about who will step in and help. For example, your loved one will expect someone to come and help with washing their hair each day or provide transportation to a weekly appointment with a local beautician. 

Knowing a schedule is set and tasks are assigned to family members or caregivers can provide your loved one with more relief. Instead of wondering if they’ll get done, your loved one can look forward to these scheduled events and outings and have the ability to interact with others, reducing the risk of isolation and depression.

A professional caregiver can help your loved one with a variety of tasks at home, including maintaining good hygiene. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Corio by IOA, a leading provider of senior care. Our professional home care San Francisco are available around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. 

Keep the Bathroom Safe

The bathroom needs to be safe, secure, and ready for your loved one to take on hygiene tasks. Keeping the bathroom safe can reduce the odds of slips and falls that put your loved one at risk for head injuries, strokes, and other severe situations. 

If you need to make changes, you should do so immediately. This could involve installing grab bars in the shower or bathtub or providing a bench for your loved one to sit on while you help with washing and rinsing. You could also install safety equipment around the toilet and sink or adjust them based on your loved one’s needs, preferences, and capabilities.

Get Professional Assistance

Having a professional caregiver come into the home to help with daily tasks, including personal hygiene, could boost your loved one’s safety. A caregiver knows it’s necessary to keep your loved one calm and relaxed, even if they react negatively and don’t want the assistance.

In some instances, seniors don’t want family members to help with personal care and prefer the assistance of professional caregivers when it comes to hygiene. Therefore, when you hire a professional, your loved one may be more relaxed and confident when taking on hygiene-related tasks.

One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide 24-hour home care as well as hourly and overnight care. Families can turn to Corio by IOA for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. Call one of our friendly Connect Specialists today at (415) 750-4111 to learn more about our customized care plans.