How Do Caregivers Deal with a Patient Who Refuses to Bathe?
Being a family caregiver for an older adult is a selfless act of kindness, love and loyalty. Such a noble role, however, can prove challenging, especially for those who were not trained as professional caregivers. We are reminded of this on difficult days, such as when our elderly relative refuses help with bathing.
Many seniors refuse to bathe due to the onset of dementia, concerns about safety in the tub, a lack of interest, arthritis, or other issues. Bathing is an important part of personal hygiene, and we must make sure this need is met, even if that requires us to change our approach. Private nurses and professional caregivers are trained to do just that.. Here are some of their tactics:
Use Negotiation Skills
Even though the older adult requires care, we must be careful to respect their dignity. They have lived long and fulfilling lives and do not appreciate taking instructions as if they were children again. In brief, this means that they do not like being told what to do. Private nurses and professional caregivers take the time to connect before providing care. This might mean preparing a favorite meal or taking them to see a friend after bath time.
Speak Favorably About Bath Time
Trained and experienced carepartners understand your loved one’s mindset and frame bath time as a positive experience rather than a chore. For instance, they may use the words, “pampering” or “relaxing” in reference to bathing. They may even use nicely scented soaps to encourage your relative to relax while taking care to warm a towel for use before getting out.
In addition, private nurses are more compassionate and sensitive to patients who may be embarrassed by body odors and soiled clothing. This in turn helps the elderly patient to feel at ease.
Professionals rely heavily on positive reinforcement in their work. Elders, just like everybody else, love compliments. A private nurse will be quick to point out how good a senior smells after taking a bath, compliment them on their choice of clean clothes, and so on.
Make it a Gradual Process
A full shower or bath may be intimidating for some elders. Maybe your loved one falls into this category. A private nurse could break down the task into stages to make it easier. They may begin with simply asking to wipe off your loved one’s face. If they are receptive then the private nurse will gradually move to gently clean their underarms and other parts of the body, all while engaging them in conversation.
The private nurse will stop once your loved one becomes resistant. They know that your relative may eventually warm up to the idea of a full bath or shower.
Having the Know-How
Some seniors may not like the idea of getting a bath from a stranger. This is why it is important to build your care team early. Trust takes time to develop. After establishing a routine, older adults become comfortable with assistance, even when it requires help bathing.
Nurse Care in Philadelphia, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties
Getting your aging loved ones to take a bath can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. Fortunately, you have access to professional help. At NursePartners our private nurses are experienced in helping your loved ones to maintain proper personal hygiene while helping them to keep their dignity intact. They are also trained to assist your loved ones with their medical needs.
Contact us today by calling 610.323.9800 for a free consultation.
How to get a patient to take a shower when it’s their right to refuse
Quinesha, you can reapproach the topic later. Instead of forcing a shower, try doing another more enjoyable activity. Afterwards, ensure that the bathroom is as appealing as possible (smells good, warm, towels in place, etc.). Tie the bathing to another activity afterwards (walk outside, visit family, etc.). Consider poising it as a favor for you too or for their family.
I would love some practical advice. Came here looking for this insight .. my sister will be 80. She went from potentially being evicted from her appt for non compliance with not taking care of her apartment, herself, her cat. ( we, another sister and I and good friends have been involved for a few years trying to get her the help she needed) She eventually agreed she could not continue living this way and moved into a personal care home 5 minutes from where I live. They struggled with getting her to shower and get out of bed to go to dining room to eat. Fast forward to today.. A fall while out for a visit at my home resulting in a fractured hip, hospitalization the sent to rehab at a nursing home where she currently resides. Still many of us involved in her care there, drs appointments, getting her hair done, etc.. but refusing to get out of bed, refusing to shower, wearing a diaper. They came out and told her they may be forced to move her to a psychiatric unit elsewhere.. my sister and I are at a crossroads . Drs say she is showing signs of dementia, but isn’t “ depressed” but for years and years has been on antidepressants.. I guess my question is what can being 302’d accomplish? It’s not going to all of a sudden make her change. As for me, it is what it is and I knew early on that things are just getting progressively worse. My sister who is also involved is doing everything in her power to get her to do what’s right ( shower, eat right, get out and move around, special treats, hang family pictures , talk about the past, visit frequently, etc.,