Is there a easy way to dress the elderly and bath them?

Question

Ive beeen doing this for a few folks now and just courious if theres any web site or easy method to properly do these task's.

These are people that still move about and have all there marbles! just need'n a lil asst.

Answer 1

You are thoughtful to ask this question because it demonstrates that you care about the person, not just the bath.

First, it is important that the person feel covered as much of the time as possible. So a very large bath towel to hold up immediately after bathing foro them to wrap in is important. Other tricks like using a wash cloth to cover private parts or women's breasts while they are bathing with a new person make them feel more comfortable.

One should never try to lift without training, because it could hurt both of you.

Showers work well if the person can hang on to a railing and to you also, if you stand outside the shower and use a handheld spray to clean the body. Use a cloth, not your bare hand to soap up the body. Suggest to individuals that they wash themselves in private places.

Try to act comfortable as if it is a normal function for you, so they don't feel uneasy. It helps to have easy-going conversation, music playing in the background or engage them somehow so that they feel more relaxed.

Most important, you can get all types of adaptive equipement. The best is: a stool for the person to sit on, a mat on the bath tup, a handle on both sides of the tub, and the hand-held sprayer.

Be sure that the floor is dry when they get out of the tub and ask them to hold you elbow for safety.

If you want to be trained, you can take a one day course at most Vocational schools on this specific task.

With dressing, I think it is important that the person pick out their own clothes (if possible) in advance so they will be ready. Also have them dress as much as possible with your help. Most people need to feel independent, so in your method of helping... be gentle and inobtrusive.

I take care of both my elderly parents who live directly next door (intentionally) and it is a beautiful experience.

I would want someone like you who researched this first. My best to you.

Answer 2

You get clothes that tie in the front or snap. An altered tub or shower is best b/c its bigger, more spaceous, and has handle bars to hold on to...I always felt from working in the nurseing home as a nurse aide in the past, that everyone is different/have different personalities and so on, so if you get a patient with alittle shyness and bed ridden, try a cloth bath and keep the other parts covered while you washing them. The best thing to think, is that they are an oversized baby and remember or ask how you were bathed as a baby. Just type in careing for the elderly should do the trick on the web.

Answer 3

Make sure you talk to them and let them help as much as possible. It's a waste of energy and really insulting to go pulling on a leg when you could just say "OK, now your left". Be sure clothing goes on bad side first and off good side first, if they have a paralyzed, stiff or weak limb. Make sure the tub has a shower chair and grab bars. Always be sure the floor is dry and that the elder has nonslip footwear on before they try to stand up. Mostly it just takes practice.

Answer 4

Explain to them what you are going to do. Test the water, make sure it's not too hot for them. Have them wash themselves if possible, it'll give them a feeling of independence. Afterwards pat them dry with a towel, elderly people have fragile skin which can result in skin injuries. If one limb is paralyed, insert the sleeve of the dress, shirt, blouse, etc. through that arm first. That way you won't have to bend and lift it and hurt them. Make sure to apply deodorants, lotions, powders, cologne and perfume.
You'd make a wonderful nurse that specializes in geriatrics.

Answer 5

You should go get your CNA (certified nurses assistant.) They will teach you the proper way to do things, as well as certify you so that you can make money doing what you seem to like to do. Most colleges offer this program.

Answer 6

Most nurses euthanize patients like these. It's usually done under the guise of administering something "good for you". You wouldn't ever admit to something like this, of course, but talk to your boss and she'll know exactly what you mean and how to help you.

Answer 7

I WOULD SAY GO TAKE CNA CLASSES . THEY WILL TEACH YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW. (CERTIFIED NURSES AIDE) A LOT OF HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES OFFER THE CLASSES OR YOUR LOCAL RED CROSS CAN HELP YOU FIND CLASSES!

Answer 8

take classes for a CNA they will tell you....