Walk In Tub or a Walk In Shower Bathing a Person With Dementia?
If you are caring for a person with dementia, when the time comes and they need help bathing, will we need a walk in tub, instead of shower?
Linda asks
If you are caring for a person with dementia, when the time comes and they need help bathing, will we need a walk in tub, instead of shower?
Linda,
This is a great question. I am going to give you a response from two different perspectives First as a family caregiver perspective. I love walk in tubs for seniors, however they are very expensive. Seniors with dementia, as they advance into the middle to late stages of dementia, will become challenged to get them to bathe at all.
Many seniors with dementia become difficult to get them to change their clothes, and bathe. You will heave to learn how to provide care without making it a battle. I tell my family caregivers, you have to change your perspective on what daily showers or baths. Aging skin is dry and it tears easily. In nursing homes, senior residents are only bathed twice a week.
I know this sounds gross to most. but, let me explain. You should learn to bathe your family member with dementia in parts. You can use dry shampoo on their hair, if it is greasy. I encourage offering warm scented face cloths several times a day. I use lavender spritz when I want to encourage calm.
How to Bath Without a Battle
I use lemon scented face cloths when I want to lift the spirits or encourage them to be more alert. Of course, providing a warm soapy washcloth to wash hands before meals and after toileting. If your family member with dementia enjoys playing in water, give them a pan of warm soapy water, and let them soak their hands. Take time to dry the hands and do nail care. You can do the same with their feet.
If they will allow you to put their feet in a foot bath, or warm water soak their feet, do their nails , if you can. I recommend that you see if there is a home visiting podiatrist is available in your neighborhood. That can help you with managing the toe nails.
When your family member changes their clothes, or uses the toilet, this is your opportunity to provide intimate care. Remember, make it comfortable and use warm cloths. When they are sitting on the toilet, you can change tops, and wash under arms and put on deodorant. Wash between their legs, or ask them to do, it they are still able to follow directions.
Walk in Tub versus Walk In Shower
As an RN , I have been to many different memory care units. Some very high end Assisted Living programs with memory care units have invested in very nice walk in showers. The walk in tubs located in these memory care units do not get used. Persons with dementia would find it difficult to sit in while waiting for the water to fill the tub. Many have an irrational fear of small spaces.
Even a walk in shower can be challenging when bathing a person with dementia. I have a family that told me, they cannot get their mother in the shower and this has been a challenge for over a year.
Many seniors, even those with dementia have a fear of falling and do not want to get into a shower. I recommend that you ask for a home safety evaluation done by a physical or occupational therapist. This is is done through a Medicare certified home care agency. This evaluation for home safety needs an order from your doctor.
The home safety evaluation, can help you determine where to place grab bars or make your tub, or walk in shower safe to use. They can recommend a shower chair or a potty chair that will be able to use in the shower, or bath tub. This will depend on the home, and the space available.
If you are going to make home modifications, you may want to consult with a certified aging in place specialist. They can help you determine what changes can be made within your needs and budget.
I am also going to give you one more consideration to think about when you are discussing walk in tubs versus walk in showers. As a person with dementia progresses through the disease process, they will become incontinent of bowel and bladder. Using a walk in tub, will make cleaning your family member if they become incontinent while bathing. They will be left to sit in dirty water, as you wait for the water to empty the water out.
Walk in tubs have so many benefits to aging seniors. A walk in shower can be as difficult to get a person with dementia in, as a walk in tub. The thing is, bathing can be a challenge, and you may go long periods of time, when you may not get them to go into any type of walk in shower, or walk in bathtub. That is when you, as a caregiver, must adjust to providing care in bits and pieces. Making sure you lotion the skin, to keep it hydrated. Choose your battles wisely. There are many challenges you will face as a caregiver daily.
Thank you for this great question. Please feel free to contact me with any other questions. I encourage other caregivers to share what they do to provide care.
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