Bathing, the importance of
Bathing does so much more than just clean the body. It’s vital to the health and well-being of all living creatures.
Here are a few benefits of bathing:
Removes dead skin cells. Skin cells continually die and get replaced by new cells. We shed a lot of these dead skin cells on our beds, furniture and clothing. But the rest need to be washed away with good old fashioned soap, water and friction!
Cools, refreshes and relaxes. Most people find bathing to be a source of comfort—but
not everyone! In this inservice you’ll learn how to help clients who are afraid or
anxious about bathing.
Controls body odor. Body odor is caused by a combination of sweat and bacteria.
Prevents infection. Skin defends the body against injury, infection and harmful substances in the environment. But, the skin must be clean and intact to do its job.
That’s where bathing comes in.
Provides an opportunity for exercise and independence. By encouraging your clients to do as much as possible for themselves during a bath, you help them remain independent—and provide their muscles and joints with a bit of exercise.
Stimulates circulation. Blood flow in the body is increased by warm water, rubbing or massaging the skin and by moving joints and muscles during the bathing process.
Helps prevent skin breakdown. It’s especially important to clean the skin of incontinent clients. When skin is exposed to urine and/or stool, the risk increases for developing pressure sores and infections.
Makes inspection possible. Bathing your client gives you an opportunity to observe his or her body for changes.
The old notion of having to shower or bathe clients twice a week to keep healthy is
on its way out!
Bathing frequency should reflect what the client asks for, and if she can't tell you, then it's a discussion that needs to take place with the family.
Experts agree that an individualized, client-centered approach is the key to a pleasant bathing experience.
It is not necessary to use gallons of water to get a person clean.
Careful washing, with attention to details, is more important than how much water you use.
Evidence-based research confirms that clients who are towel-bathed (see p. 5) once a
week using a mild, no-rinse soap actually have healthier skin than those who shower with regular soap.
COMMON BARRIERS TO BATHING
If bathing is so wonderful and healthy, why does it feel like you have to beg,
plead and trick some of your clients into doing it?
For many clients, bathing may be scary or confusing. For others it may be
exhausting or embarrassing.
Here are a few common reasons your clients may refuse to bathe:
Depression can cause a loss of interest in personal hygiene.
Fatigue from a physical illness can cause a lack of the energy it takes to
keep up with personal hygiene.
Hydrophobia (or fear of water) is common with people who have
dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. They may fear water that is too deep, too
hot or too cold. Or they may feel fearful of water spraying down on them
from an overhead shower.
Embarrassment from lack of privacy (especially in facilities) or from having
to undress with unfamiliar caregivers.
Physical discomfort from a room that is too cold.
Fear of falling, particularly if the person has fallen in the past.
Confusion can make the steps involved in taking a bath too
overwhelming.
Disoriented clients may not bathe because they simply can’t find the
bathroom.
Forgetfulness can make the purpose and need for a bath seem
unimportant. The person may have bathed on a schedule in the past, but
now, days and weeks may go by before he or she remembers to bathe.
Humiliation from having to rely on others for help and/or from having to
bathe on someone else’s timetable (or according to the nursing schedule).
Poor lighting, particularly in home bathrooms can make bathing
confusing, frustrating and dangerous.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THESE BARRIERS?
Your client may have some of these barriers to bathing, or he may have ALL of
them! And the more barriers a person has, the more likely it is that he will be
resistant to your suggestions to take a bath!
Keep in mind, your client’s resistance to bathing is not just a problem for you.
It’s exhausting for him too! Having to battle you ever day for the right to refuse a bath can really take a toll on the client and the caregiver alike. The good news is that when you understand your client’s barriers, you can easily end the battle by taking steps to offer the alternative approaches to bathing that you’ll find on the next few pages.
CAN THIS BE AN ETHICAL DILEMMA?
When a client acts out in response to being bathed, he is essentially exercising his right to “refuse” the care. In the case of someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s,
the person may have trouble expressing their refusal in a rational way, and may hit, yell, kick or bite. Regardless of the way the refusal is expressed, the client still has the right to refuse.
WhatsUpJayTee Disclaimer
*The videos linked does not belong to WhatsUpJayTee, for additional information and resources ONLY.
Here are a few benefits of bathing:
Removes dead skin cells. Skin cells continually die and get replaced by new cells. We shed a lot of these dead skin cells on our beds, furniture and clothing. But the rest need to be washed away with good old fashioned soap, water and friction!
Cools, refreshes and relaxes. Most people find bathing to be a source of comfort—but
not everyone! In this inservice you’ll learn how to help clients who are afraid or
anxious about bathing.
Controls body odor. Body odor is caused by a combination of sweat and bacteria.
Prevents infection. Skin defends the body against injury, infection and harmful substances in the environment. But, the skin must be clean and intact to do its job.
That’s where bathing comes in.
Provides an opportunity for exercise and independence. By encouraging your clients to do as much as possible for themselves during a bath, you help them remain independent—and provide their muscles and joints with a bit of exercise.
Stimulates circulation. Blood flow in the body is increased by warm water, rubbing or massaging the skin and by moving joints and muscles during the bathing process.
Helps prevent skin breakdown. It’s especially important to clean the skin of incontinent clients. When skin is exposed to urine and/or stool, the risk increases for developing pressure sores and infections.
Makes inspection possible. Bathing your client gives you an opportunity to observe his or her body for changes.
The old notion of having to shower or bathe clients twice a week to keep healthy is
on its way out!
Bathing frequency should reflect what the client asks for, and if she can't tell you, then it's a discussion that needs to take place with the family.
Experts agree that an individualized, client-centered approach is the key to a pleasant bathing experience.
It is not necessary to use gallons of water to get a person clean.
Careful washing, with attention to details, is more important than how much water you use.
Evidence-based research confirms that clients who are towel-bathed (see p. 5) once a
week using a mild, no-rinse soap actually have healthier skin than those who shower with regular soap.
COMMON BARRIERS TO BATHING
If bathing is so wonderful and healthy, why does it feel like you have to beg,
plead and trick some of your clients into doing it?
For many clients, bathing may be scary or confusing. For others it may be
exhausting or embarrassing.
Here are a few common reasons your clients may refuse to bathe:
Depression can cause a loss of interest in personal hygiene.
Fatigue from a physical illness can cause a lack of the energy it takes to
keep up with personal hygiene.
Hydrophobia (or fear of water) is common with people who have
dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. They may fear water that is too deep, too
hot or too cold. Or they may feel fearful of water spraying down on them
from an overhead shower.
Embarrassment from lack of privacy (especially in facilities) or from having
to undress with unfamiliar caregivers.
Physical discomfort from a room that is too cold.
Fear of falling, particularly if the person has fallen in the past.
Confusion can make the steps involved in taking a bath too
overwhelming.
Disoriented clients may not bathe because they simply can’t find the
bathroom.
Forgetfulness can make the purpose and need for a bath seem
unimportant. The person may have bathed on a schedule in the past, but
now, days and weeks may go by before he or she remembers to bathe.
Humiliation from having to rely on others for help and/or from having to
bathe on someone else’s timetable (or according to the nursing schedule).
Poor lighting, particularly in home bathrooms can make bathing
confusing, frustrating and dangerous.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THESE BARRIERS?
Your client may have some of these barriers to bathing, or he may have ALL of
them! And the more barriers a person has, the more likely it is that he will be
resistant to your suggestions to take a bath!
Keep in mind, your client’s resistance to bathing is not just a problem for you.
It’s exhausting for him too! Having to battle you ever day for the right to refuse a bath can really take a toll on the client and the caregiver alike. The good news is that when you understand your client’s barriers, you can easily end the battle by taking steps to offer the alternative approaches to bathing that you’ll find on the next few pages.
CAN THIS BE AN ETHICAL DILEMMA?
When a client acts out in response to being bathed, he is essentially exercising his right to “refuse” the care. In the case of someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s,
the person may have trouble expressing their refusal in a rational way, and may hit, yell, kick or bite. Regardless of the way the refusal is expressed, the client still has the right to refuse.
WhatsUpJayTee Disclaimer
*The videos linked does not belong to WhatsUpJayTee, for additional information and resources ONLY.
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