Body Hygiene for a Senior Who Has Limited Mobility

By Geralyn DiGiovanni, Manager, Client Services | October 21, 2016 |

Senior Care in White Plains NY

Limited mobility can be a challenging issue for an elderly adult. Whether your parent has suffered an injury or illness from which they are recovering, or they have a health condition or problem that makes it so that they are not able to get up and move around as safely and confidently as they should, one challenge that you might worry about is their hygiene. Keeping up with hygiene is an important part of preventing illness and infection, protecting wellbeing, and keeping your parent’s mental and emotional health high.

Use these tips to help your parent maintain body hygiene when they are dealing with limited mobility:

Use disposable cloths. Disposable washcloths come pre-moistened with skin-nurturing soap. You then wipe these cloths across their skin. No rinsing is necessary for most products, but it is important that you read the instructions on the particular product that you choose to ensure that you use it properly.
Use adaptive devices. Equip your parent’s bathroom with products and tools that help to eliminate the potentially difficult and dangerous movements of bathing so that your aging parent can manage this task with less strain. This can include a bath lift which allows your parent to sit down and be lifted up and into the bath and then back out of it, much like a stair lift. They may also benefit from a handheld showerhead that eliminates the need for twisting and bending.
Focus on health. When your parent is dealing with limited mobility, it is most likely that they will not be able to bathe as often as they might have otherwise. Focus on the areas of the body that are most important when it comes to cleanliness, washing those each day via a sponge bath or pre-moistened washcloths, wash their hair twice a week, and arrange for a full bath once or twice a week.

If your aging loved one is coping with limited mobility or balance problems, or has been recovering from an illness or injury that has kept them restricted to their bed or a chair, starting elderly care for them might be the right choice for them. Having an elderly home care services provider in the home with your aging parent can ensure that they get the personalized care, support, encouragement, and companionship that they need to cope with their individual limitations, challenges, and needs. Through services tailored to them specifically, your senior parent can cope with their difficulties, recover effectively, and still enjoy the highest quality of life possible. When it comes to hygiene, this means that your parent can stay healthier and more comfortable even if they are not able to shower or bathe in the traditional ways. If you are not able to be with your parent as often as they may need, or have your own limitations that keep you from being able to help them with these tasks, the professional, respectful services of a care provider can give you peace of mind.

If you or an aging loved one are looking for senior care in White Plains, NY, call the friendly staff at The Perfect Home Care at (855) 855-5728. Call today!

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Geralyn DiGiovanni, Manager, Client Services

Manager, Client Services at The Perfect Home Care

Geralyn DiGiovanni has been marketing director of The Perfect Home Care since July, 2013. She’s responsible for promoting the agency by identifying and reaching out to market segments that align with the services offered by The Perfect Home Care. Among others, she works closely with geriatric care managers, elder care attorneys, and assisted living facilities. Her industry-specific experience includes multiple stints as a companion aide for seniors. She also has extensive experience in the publishing industry, where she worked as an account manager. “I love this industry and am passionate about working with seniors,” she says.

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