When providing Oakville home care for your elderly loved one, it is important to respect his or her need for privacy as you assist with daily routines. Personal hygiene tasks can be an especially delicate matter, yet there are some simple strategies you can use to help your loved one maintain dignity as you help meet his or her grooming needs.
Promote Independence with Assistive Devices
When a loved one struggles with mobility, there are many options available for helping him or her complete tasks independently. Long-handled wiping aids can ensure personal hygiene needs are met after toileting, and dressing aids can be used to help your loved one fasten buttons or pull a shirt over his or her shoulders.
Prepare Beforehand
Having everything ready to go can shorten the amount of time your loved one may be uncomfortable. Before your loved one’s bath, spend a few minutes making sure shampoo, towels, and other necessities are nearby. Then, lay out your loved one’s clothing so he or she can get dressed immediately after.
Use Distraction
When a potentially embarrassing task must be done with your assistance, attempt to take your loved one’s mind off of his or her discomfort. Try to engage him or her in conversation while you assist with toileting or bathing. Looking away from your loved one’s private areas as you help him or her get dressed or making eye contact as you share a silly joke can also show respect for his or her dignity.
Offer Towels to Limit Exposure
Many seniors put off bathing out of concerns for their privacy, yet you can still help your loved one get clean without making him or her feel exposed. When helping your loved one bathe, simply use a towel as a drape over his or her body. Your loved one can hold onto the towel and uncover one body part at a time for you to wash, which may increase his or her comfort level.
Recruit Help
For many families, personal hygiene is a very private matter, and some seniors may prefer to have a professional take over the task. Talk to your loved one about what he or she prefers, and consider your personal comfort level regarding hygiene assistance. Often, a professional caregiver in Oakville is the ideal solution for avoiding the embarrassment that may be felt when it comes to the most delicate part of a senior’s daily routine.
Helping your loved one stay positive and comfortable during caregiving can be a challenge, but respecting his or her dignity is important in promoting overall emotional wellbeing. At Home Care Assistance, our caregivers are professionally trained to provide emotional assistance, in addition to helping with daily tasks like personal grooming and bathing. Our care services also include specialized Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and post-stroke care Oakville seniors can rely on. For more information, call one of our friendly Care Managers at (905) 337-1200 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.