Alzheimer's Disease and Bathing: How Can You Help?
Does your elderly loved one have Alzheimer’s disease? If so, one issue that you might face is helping them to bathe. The risk of falling while showering or not getting fully clean if someone has this disease is quite high, especially as the disease progresses. However, you also want to make sure your elderly loved one feels comfortable having someone help them while they bathe or shower. There are some tips that can help with bathing-related tasks for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
Empowering Them
If you needed someone to help you with bathing or showering, you might feel like your power and control is being taken away. Now imagine what it might feel like to not have full mental capacity and be scared to have someone help you with this. It could be terrifying. The good news is that there are ways you and the home care providers can empower your elderly loved one, so they feel more comfortable receiving help with bathtime. Some ways you can do this include:

- Letting them decide what time they will bathe or shower
- Allowing them to do bathing-related tasks they are still able to do
- Getting them a shower chair, so they can sit while showering
- Before they get out, reach a towel in to have them wrap up, so they don’t feel so exposed
If you can do these things, it might truly help your elderly loved one to feel more empowered and more comfortable with receiving bathing assistance.
Respecting Privacy and Boundaries
There are many people with this disease that feel like their privacy is being invaded when they need bathing assistance. This is completely normal. The good news is that you and home care providers can do a great job with respecting your elderly loved one’s privacy and boundaries. Some ways that you can do this include:
- Letting them wear a swimsuit or swimming trunks for most of the bath
- Allowing them to wash areas they are still capable of washing
- If they are a woman, have a woman help with bath time or if they are a man, have a man help (if they are comfortable with that)
- If they aren’t comfortable having family help out, hire home care providers to take over bathing assistance
- If you do these things, your elderly loved one might feel better about getting help with their bathing or showering.
Sticking to Routines
Another way that you can help someone with Alzheimer’s disease to feel better with showering is to stick to routines. People who have this disease often get agitated when it is time to bathe or shower. One reason for this could be if they don’t take a bath on a schedule. If you have them stick to a showering or bathing routine, such as the same times and days every week, they will know what to expect. This could reduce their agitation.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s disease will impact every area of your elderly loved one’s life. When it comes to bathing, these are some of the things that can help to make your elderly loved one more comfortable and less agitated while receiving help in this area.
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/bathing-dressing-and-grooming-alzheimers-caregiving-tips
If you are considering home care in Mamaroneck, NY, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts At Home of NYC today at 212-201-6139.
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