Assisting A Senior With Their Bath Time

​ ​First you can ask yourself is the environment a safe one and what can I improve about the environment prior taking the first step inside the bathroom with the client. Check the lighting to ensure it is properly lit. Ideally the bathroom is a place where lighting is good and not dim. The individual using the bathroom should be able to see the toilet, the bath and all their products clearly. Second, are there any slippery materials on the floor or any hard to reach items around. Poorly organized bathrooms can cause a fall and permanently injure the client. Another bathroom improvement is purchasing items that prevent falls. Items like non-slip mats and handles can help prevent injury. Items like this can always be purchased but your heath cannot be purchased back after a fall. Towels are a common items that is a requirement for bathing, ensure there are plenty close by. Stock on toilet paper is common. Finally lets not forget about the bathing or showering essentials like shampoo, water basin, shower wash, 3 wash cloths, face towel, 2 bath towels, and clean clothing.

​​Now that we have covered the environmental factors lets think about the actual steps to getting bathed. Wash your own hands with warm water to make the experience as pleasant as possible. These are the guidelines as per the PCA or Personal Care Aide training manual. This should always be though through to prevent any errors, falls, or waiting times. Ensure all noise is turned down to a minimum that is a PCA training manual guideline. Sometimes some gentle music can help get the individual bathing in the right mood. Never pour water onto the client in the bath, always prepare it ahead of time. Gently guide the individual into the shower and get them nude. If the individual is not comfortable use a robe or a towel to cover the sensitive areas. Next if you have to cover the individuals private areas with a wash cloth do so then being the shower. Start with the eyes and the face. Then wash the head, neck and work your way down the torso. Rinse the washcloth or sponge during this process in a water basin. Ensure you spend the time to get all the skin surfaces including arm pits, under breast, perennial areas, areas between fingers, and toes. All surfaces need to washed thoroughly. Be extra gentle in sensitive areas and ask your individual questions about their preferences ahead of time. Often times the individual can wash their own private areas. Afterwards dry your client thoroughly and ensure there is no moisture anywhere on the body. Don’t forget to use any moisturizer or product the client prefers. 

​ ​When the client doesn’t feel well enough for a shower you can always bathe the client in their bed using the bed bath method of bathing the client. This method is completely in bed so there is nothing to worry about. This is done by raising the bed to a good working height to avoid straining yourself. Pour water in a basin at 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit or your clients preference. Assist the client with their clothing but keep them covered with a bath blanket or towel. You can keep the towel on the client until the bath is over. Simply reach underneath the towel and wash the client thoroughly. Rinse the wash towel in the basin of soapy water and repeat until all done. Always clean one section of the individuals body at a time. Start at the face and use a different part of the washcloth for each section. Use more than one washcloth to dry or rinse wash. Work your way to the clients neck and ears. Next wash the clients arms, shoulders, and underarms. Then repeat on the other arm. Rise wash over the section again after soapy wash. Using no rinse shower wash for body is an option for no rinse required approach. Use water basin to wash your clients hands, one at a time. Take your time to get into all the face surfaces.

​ ​Do not expose the client but keep the clients body covered for privacy and warmth. Lift the towel slightly and wash underneath. Use more than one towel if you need to cover the client in more than one area. If the client complains of cold then use the other towel. Move to the thighs, perennial, and legs. Use another basin for the feet and place them into the warm water as client preference and wash. Then turn the client and place a towel under your client’s torso. Then clean and dry the next section of your clients body. Allow the client to wash any area they can wash including the perennial areas. Finish by placing all the cloth items used into the clothing hamper and place in the laundry.

​ ​As a tip always use comfortable water temperatures and avoid excessive soap close to sensitive areas like the eyes and mouth. Ensure you get the client completely dry prior to stepping out of the bath. Ensure you follow your individuals preferences for clothing, drying, products, and water temps. Remember that all individuals have their cultural differences and personal hygiene practices that can influence the client’s bathing preferences.  Keep the restroom as clutter free as possible to prevent any confusion or spread of bacteria. You can use gloves to prevent the spread of bacteria or for your own basic hygiene.  Don’t forget about the ears and all moisturizers or products the individual is using. Always think about the basic body mechanics when transferring clients to prevent falls and dings. Also to ensure your own safety when moving the client from seating positing to seating position. When the client is falling allow them to sit on the floor before getting back up again to prevent any strain or injury. Always use tools to help like a Hoyer lift or a walker. The clothing process begins right after and off you go, another great day either just started or came to an end.