The Benefits of Bathing for Seniors
By Ewa Frydel, Owner
There are numerous benefits when our seniors bathe regularly. Bathing can help prevent skin infections. It can also promote good sleep, especially if your senior loved one takes a warm bath before going to bed.
Although, bathing can seem like a chore.
Sometimes, when it’s getting late, the last thing we want to do is get into a tub or get wet. Just falling asleep right where we’re at is perfectly perfect.
If you have an aging adult in your life who refuses to bathe or if you find it difficult to encourage them to take a bath, follow along. We will explore the benefits of getting your senior to bathe, tips for safety, and how to make bathing fun again.
Bathing Benefits for Seniors
Regular bathing keeps the skin clear and prevents bacterial infections, including UTIs. Sometimes all we need our seniors to cleanse are areas most prone to harboring bacteria, like the underarms, underneath skin folds, the groin area, and between fingers and toes.
However, wrinkles can also hold onto dead skin, dirt, and bacteria. As we age, we may find it more necessary to cleanse our extremities, too. Body odor is the scent of a gas put off by bacteria on our skin, which is normal and has no cause for alarm, but also necessary to cleanse. This helps tremendously if we’re trying to get your elderly family member to socialize again.
Ever notice how relaxed you feel after you decided to bathe before going to sleep?
Try to encourage your senior loved one to recall this relaxation.
Remind them that bathing helps relax their muscles, which helps them sleep more soundly and reduces pain and inflammation.
Good sleep will help maintain those benefits but keep pain and inflammation down during the following day. This also helps keep a good mood, well, good! So bathing regularly helps our seniors stay happy.
Bathing Safety Tips for Seniors
Tubs are tricky.
If your senior's only option is a bathtub, be sure you have hand grabs or railings available all around. Keep a non-slip rug on the floor and have a rack available for their towel to hang up. There are also slip-guard mats you can place at the bottom of the tub.
Stools are also helpful but make sure there is back support and it is large enough to hold your aging parent’s weight and body size.
Also use pump dispensing shampoos, conditioners, and body cleansers. If your senior has to pick up an item, they risk dropping it and falling in the tub.
Make everything user-friendly and slip-proof. Even if you have a walk-in shower, use every precaution.
Test the water and pressure yourself.
Be sure the water temperature doesn’t have a maximum scalding degree. You can adjust the water heater to have a comfortable high temperature in case your senior turns the dial all the way.
Tepid water is best for all skin types, no matter the age. While we all have different preferences of temperature, keep the pressure soft for your senior’s aging skin. If it comes out too fast, it can give a burning sensation and irritate your senior’s sensitive, thinner skin.
Making Bath Time Fun for Seniors
Chances are if your mom or dad got to a good old age and are still strong, they hold a positive outlook on life. That usually means they have a youthful heart.
Bath time used to be fun when we were kids. As adults, they became in the way of our busy lives. Who says we can’t enjoy them again as we get older?
You can! Your senior can, too.
Firstly, if your senior’s bathroom is equipped with all safety measures, they will have little to no fear about bathing. That’s the very first thing to consider when your senior is refusing to bathe, they could be scared.
Next, try rainbow shower heads where water comes out in different colors as it reflects off the light. You can also try soft colorful sponges or loofahs. Bath oils are very moisturizing and can make your senior feel soft and restful after usage.
Make your senior’s bathroom a spa!
Give them the experience with battery-operated candles (not flammable), Christmas lights, and music. Leave essential oils nearby like lavender so they can put them on their skin after the bath. Make this a treat!
There’s a little bit of effort on your end to get your senior to bathe again, but we’re confident you can get the job done. Remember that your senior could simply be afraid of falling in the shower.
Be sure to make the environment safe for them.
Remind them of the benefits, too. Bathing prevents infections, and sickness, and helps us get good sleep by relaxing our muscles. Also, make the ambiance of their bathroom like a spa. Give your senior the full treatment so they feel excited about bathing again.
For more information on the benefits of bathing for seniors, contact us.
We’re here to help!
Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about bathing for the elderly and should not be construed as medical advice.
