how do you wash the hair on a patient who is bed ridden?

Question

my great grandma is at home and she is very poorly at the moment, but she really dosent want to go into hospital so all of us (her family) is rallying round to look after her

she is clean as we are being really careful to wash her and make sure she dosent get bed sores

but the only trouble we are having is to work out a way to wash her hair

please can you give me any tips for doing this as i am sure she will feel much better if we can do it for her

thanks for your help


xxx vici

Answer 1

When I worked in nursing homes we used an inflatable "sink" so the patient needn't be moved from bed but you can buy "dry shampoos" that don't need water from most chemists.

Answer 2

I had this problem when my daughter had a hip operation and was in plaser cast from the waist down, i was told at the time of a dry shampoo you can use but could never find it so that might be a good one to look out for or hunt down, I Basically you will need 4 or 5 pillows, towels, a jug and 2 bowls and preferabley someone to help, I proped her up under her sholders with pillows, then put a bowl under her head and started the wetting of the hair, when the bowl was full, remove it and replace with a empty one and just keep going like this, untill the job is done, When we were in hospital they had a special thing thay lay under the head and had a drip bit at the side for the water to run out into a bucket, maybee you try to get one of those, I feel for you with you gran poorly, and trying to do this its a difficult 1!! goood luck!!!!

Answer 3

There are some basins in the shape of a hairdresser's hair washing basins, specifically made for bed ridden patiens. Some are attached to a small hose that poors the water in a bucket nearby. I don't know where you can find them, but probably in pharmacies or shops with equipment for invalid people. If you don't find this, just use a wide baking tray under her head and poor water from a jug on her head. Empty the tray when you are not pooring water. There is bound to be some water spilt around, but then you will change the pillow. It is a good idea to put a nylon foil on top of the mattress.

Answer 4

You can get sort of basin things from the chemist that have a space for your neck. U can then pour water over her hair with it going into the basin under her head.
To make this easier u can move her up the bed removing any headboard and suport her head as it is over the edge of the bed.
You will need more than one person. 1 to ensure good support of the neck, if not ur grandmother will be uncomfortable trying to hold her head, and 2 to wash her hair.

It wil make her feel much better and more brighter.

You are really kind to look after ur poorly grandmother and to find appropriate equipment needed. I hope this helps u.

Answer 5

Try getting one of those smaller sized Rubbermaid totes. If it is possible to have her sit up in the bed, you could let her aim the back of her head over it, and then take a pitcher of water and pour it over her head, letting the excess water fall into the plastic tote. Then just shampoo, rinse, and condition letting it all run into the tote. Your grannny would have to be able to move around a little bit to make this work good though. Sorry, it is all I can think of at the moment. I hope she gets better soon, and I think she is very blessed to have such a great family looking after her. Good Luck!

Answer 6

vici-you are very good and kind to look after your grandma. i think a good idea would be to use a dry shampoo-i've used them before and they really do freshen the hair up and make you feel clean and fresh. batiste do 1 that smells nice and fresh and is onloy about £1 a can! check your local pharmacy or boots and superdrug. lee stafford does 1 too but its more expensive and not really any better-best of luck to you,

Answer 7

im a hca and what i do is assist the patient to sit up and i fill a washing up bowel with luke warm water and have 2 towels 1 goes round shoulders like hairdressers do , anyway then i wash their hair. to rinse some prefer a sponge and some prefer jug and then we just dry and then hair dry

Answer 8

How about dry shampoo? U apply it and then brush the hair. There is a brand, i think it's called Batiste (or something similar). I saw it in Tesco last week, you should be able to spot it on the shelf, it has quite colourful packaging. It's about £1.99. XX

Answer 9

When my friends Nanna was bedridden in hospital they couldn't wash her hair. I told her to use batiste dry shampoo spray,she said it was a godsend. It's only about £2 and you can get it most chemists.

I hope your Grandma gets better soon x

Answer 10

At medical supply stores they sell bathing supplies, including a tub with a spot for the neck to wash hair. (I believe)
When she is in bed, you can use that to pour water over her head, wash it and then rinse it. (Just use a small jug to do it). Then you can empty the water from the tub into any sink in the home.