[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” ul_line_height_tablet=”” ul_line_height_phone=”2.5em” ul_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
You’re probably noticing, as I have done with both my parents, that with time your elderly parents have less and less energy, to get everything done in the day. And to put it bluntly, less enthusiasm for doing a lot of the more menial tasks as well. But not all things have to be done with the same frequency, as your parents get older. Bathing is one of these things.<\/p>\n
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How often should an elderly parent bathe ?\u00a0 An elderly person should bathe a minimum of once a week, so long as the person is cleaning their private parts and under their arms with soap and water on the days between baths or showers.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” ul_line_height_tablet=”” ul_line_height_phone=”2.5em” ul_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n On the days that your loved ones don’t take a bath, it’s good to try and get them to wipe their faces, under their arms, their feet and their private parts with a wet cloth.<\/p>\n You may want to bathe them a little more, if you are experiencing hot, sweaty weather.<\/p>\n You want to be careful that your loved ones don’t overwash, as their skin is thinner and more sensitive than a younger person.<\/p>\n The skin produces fewer oils and is somewhat prone to tearing and bruising – you have probably noticed how a lot of very elderly people often have bruises on their arms.<\/p>\n You may want to suggest to your loved one that they use milder products as they get older, as they will be gentler on the skin, and hopefully won’t dry it out so much.<\/p>\n Another good tip is to use a good moisturizer to get some oils back into the skin after bathing, as this will help to keep it supple and prevent some skin tears and breaks.<\/p>\n Women need to take a little more care than men as they are more prone to urinary tract infections, and this can be quite serious.<\/p>\n Women should always be wiped from front to back to help avoid infections.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Contents Overview & Quicklinks” open=”on” open_toggle_text_color=”#005bdb” icon_color=”#005bdb” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#005bdb” body_ul_font=”||||||||” body_ul_text_color=”#59bdd6″ background_color=”rgba(190,229,247,0.47)” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#0b00ea” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Are there any exceptions to bathing once or twice a week minimum ?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Does the odor of an elderly person change as they age ?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n How often should a woman take a bath or shower ?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n How often are the elderly bathed in nursing homes ?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n How often should an elderly person wash their hair ?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Why do the elderly not want to bathe ?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n How to convince an elderly person to bathe ?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Personal hygiene checklist ?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n How to get an Alzheimer’s patient to take a shower ?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Elderly bathing services<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Summing up…<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_text module_id=”elderlybatheminimum” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” ul_line_height_tablet=”” ul_line_height_phone=”2.5em” ul_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elderly loved one’s suffering with dementia may need more bathing, or showering, if they no longer know how to use the toilet.<\/p>\n This is to mainly avoid infections, and the frequency will really depend on how often they are soiling or wetting themselves.<\/p>\n As with people who are incontinent or doubly incontinent, you do not want to leave a person without changing their clothes, washing and wiping them, and providing a dry change of pad or clothing.<\/p>\n If you leave someone sitting in a used incontinence pad, this can quickly lead to the bacteria breaking the skin, and then more serious infections.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”elderlybatheodor” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” ul_line_height_tablet=”” ul_line_height_phone=”2.5em” ul_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After the age of 40 our skin produces fewer antioxidants, and this can lead to our odor changing.<\/p>\n This change does not occur in the sweat which produces normal body odor, but rather on the skin itself.<\/p>\n The lipid acid, which is naturally on our skin, is oxidizes and forms a new chemical compound called 2-nonenal.<\/p>\n Nonenal is described as having a greasy or grassy smell, and will linger for some time in cloth, so it stays on clothes and bed linen.<\/p>\n If you smell nonenal this on your loved one, it isn’t because they aren’t bathing enough, but rather because it is insoluble in soap and water.<\/p>\n The Japanese use soaps with persimmon in it, as they instantly dissolve up to 97% of nonenal on contact – it is the tannin in the Persimmon which apparently reacts with the nonenal.<\/p>\n Combined with the soap, the Japanese also drink green tea which is very high in antioxidants, and this will help to hold down the production of nonenal by stopping the oxidation of the lipid acids on your loved one’s skin.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text module_id=”elderlybatheshower” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” ul_line_height_tablet=”” ul_line_height_phone=”2.5em” ul_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If the lady is elderly and not incontinent, bathing once or twice a week should be fine, so long as she washes her private parts daily and takes good care to cleanse her perineal area properly every day to make sure she doesn’t get a urinary tract infection.<\/p>\n Taking showers is possibly more healthy for the skin than bathing, as you are not seated in water which can have bacteria from you washing your skin, but I have no idea whether the risk of falls is greater in a bathtub or in a shower.<\/p>\n As I said before, skin gets fragile with age, so you don’t want to over do it and dry the oils out resulting in lots of skin tears.<\/p>\n It’s also a good idea to find a good moisturizer for elderly skin and to use that to hydrate and soften the skin, which will keep it more supple and less prone to tearing.<\/p>\n Moisturizers with antioxidants and vitamins C and E are beneficial to the skin.<\/p>\n For younger women, every other day is fine for showering and is better for the skin, unless of course you have a heavy, dirty and sweaty job.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”elderlybathenursing” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” ul_line_height_tablet=”” ul_line_height_phone=”2.5em” ul_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I have never been in a nursing home or, had one of my parent’s stay in a home, but from reading different forums, I have seen that the nurses on the forums say that nursing homes would normally bathe an elderly adult at least once each week.<\/p>\n This changes when your loved one either suffers from dementia, or from incontinence.<\/p>\n You should be able to see in the policy statement of any nursing home how often they will be bathing your loved one if they become a resident.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”elderlybathewash” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” ul_line_height_tablet=”” ul_line_height_phone=”2.5em” ul_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On average, for an elderly person, I would say that washing their hair once a week is adequate. With both my mother and father, I have shampooed once a week.<\/p>\n The less a person washes their hair, the fewer oils it produces, and the less dirt will stick to it, and as a result the less it needs washing.<\/p>\n You also don’t want to overdo the washing of hair, as it gets thinner and too much washing can damage it.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text module_id=”elderlybathewhy” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” ul_line_height_tablet=”” ul_line_height_phone=”2.5em” ul_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The reasons for an elderly loved one not bathing can be many, here are just some reasons which may be causing the problems:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” ul_line_height_tablet=”” ul_line_height_phone=”2.5em” ul_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text module_id=”elderlybatheconvince” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” ul_line_height_tablet=”” ul_line_height_phone=”2.5em” ul_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To convince an elderly person to bathe, you first have to know why they don’t want to bathe, and as I suggested in the last section there may any number of reasons.<\/p>\n Once you have an idea though of the problem, you can then go ahead and set about working out how you are going to convince them to bathe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So let’s take a look at how to go about convincing your parent to bathe –<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nAre there any exceptions to bathing once or twice a week minimum ?<\/h2>\n
Does the odor of an elderly person change as they age ?<\/h2>\n
How often should a woman take a bath or shower ?<\/h2>\n
How often are the elderly bathed in nursing homes ?<\/h2>\n
How often should an elderly person wash their hair ?<\/h2>\n
Why do the elderly not want to bathe ?<\/h2>\n
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When you’re showering the person –<\/h3>\n
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How to convince an elderly person to bathe ?<\/h2>\n
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