Encouraging good hygiene in a dementia patient
One of the common complications observed in dementia patients is lack of interest or neglect in maintaining personal hygiene. There are a number of reasons for this, including feeling embarrassed if they need extra help with those activities or increased confusion and distress. Find out how to support and encourage your loved one in looking after themselves.
Keep it simple and familiar
People in dementia care tend not to respond well to sudden changes in their environment. To help them feel safe and confident, find out about their habits prior to onset of dementia and support them in maintaining a similar routine. A few decades ago, it was uncommon for people to wash every day, so don’t enforce your values or hygiene routine on them. Keeping their habits as familiar as possible will make them feel assured and willing to maintain their wellbeing.
Understand their need for privacy
It can be very difficult and embarrassing for people in dementia care to require assistance in maintaining their hygiene. If they are incontinent or have any additional issues, they may refuse to change clothes in order to disguise the problem. Assist them in feeling more comfortable by closing doors and curtains, to create a sense of privacy and try covering mirrors if they don’t recognise themselves, which may cause unnecessary distress. Stay on hand, but make sure they are able to do as many tasks as possible themselves to maintain a good level of confidence. Be mindful and patient in your approach when looking after a dementia patient.
Offer gentle encouragement
Your loved one may just need a nudge in the right direction to maintain their hygiene. Try getting them involved with your own routine, as appropriate. Lay out some clean clothes for them to wear or compliment them on the way they look when they have washed or changed. Having a hairdresser come to their house and taking them for a manicure or pedicure may be helpful. Some dementia patients feel motivated to stay fresh and clean if they have visitors coming over or if they’re going out.
Make adjustments for dementia and bathing
People in dementia care might have a fear of bathing or injuring themselves. Eliminate this by making sure the bathroom is warm enough and the temperature and water level is suitable. It may help if they can feel the water first. Installing special bathroom aids will also help them feel safer getting in and out of bath. If bathing and showering doesn’t work, try washing from a basin with a sponge.
Hygiene for dementia patients: useful checklist
Maintaining good hygiene for dementia patients is important, as neglect can lead to infections and skin problems. Try to stick to this useful checklist – it can be helpful to separate the tasks to make them more manageable:
Wash hands before eating and after using the toilet
Bottom and genitals are to be washed daily to prevent UTIs (urinary tract infections)
Face should be washed daily
Clean teeth or dentures twice a day for optimal oral health
Encourage the dementia patient to have a full body wash at least twice a week. This can be split into different body parts throughout the week
