Bathing and toileting your elderly parent can be awkward. Your elderly parent may be embarrassed to have you see them without clothes on and you may not feel much differently. If it is too awkward or you just need help, don’t hesitate to get personal care at home services. That way, home care providers can assist with these tasks, while you do family-related tasks or household chores.
Proper Necessities
If you are going to be bathing and toileting your elderly parent or even if senior care providers will be doing so, it is important to ensure the proper necessities are in the bathroom. For example, is the toilet paper stocked up near the toilet, so everyone can get to it easily. Are there towels and washcloths in the bathroom, clean and ready to go for shower or bath time? As long as all the necessities are in the bathroom, it will make any toileting and bathing help that is needed much easier.
Proper Aids and Equipment
If you are going to be bathing and toileting your elderly parent, it would be important to have all their aids and equipment in the bathroom ready to go. Some of the things that may be needed:
- Bath or shower seats
- Mobile showers
- Commodes
- Bath mat
- Secure rugs on the floor
- Shower stall bars
Holding bars in the bathroom, especially near the toilet (not towel hangers as those will likely come loose and your parent will fall)
Now that you have this in mind, you can stock all these things up in the bathroom or near the bathroom, so they are there for your elderly parent when they need them.
Proper Techniques
Toileting and bathing can be embarrassing when an elderly person needs help. Your parent probably doesn’t want you to see them without clothes on and you probably don’t want to see them either. However, if you are helping this is going to happen. It is important to use proper techniques so that both of you feel as comfortable as possible. Some of the things that can be done include:
- Covering the top of their lap with a towel for when they are using the toilet
- Turn your head away as they pull up or down their pants
- When giving them a bath, be sure to respect their privacy as much as possible (so, if they don’t need your help the entire time, step to the other side of the bathroom until they need assistance)
These are some of the best techniques and tips to use when you are helping your elderly parent use the bathroom or take a bath or shower.
Conclusion
Does your elderly parent require help with bathing or toileting? If so, there are numerous tips and techniques that you can use to help them. Don’t forget that you can always get personal care at home services when they are needed, as well.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Personal Care at Home in Sun City, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Blessings for Seniors Companion Care at (623) 594-0819
Sources
https://www.med.upenn.edu/gec/user_documents/7_Continence-InstructorSlidesWithNotes07.pdf
Blessings for Seniors makes it possible for older adults to enjoy the comforts of their own home for as long as possible. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as; Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans’ Home Care program.
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