Related topics: •  Alzheimer's and Teeth Care •  Caring for Someone With Alzheimer's •  Clothes Contact: Helping an Alzheimer's Patient Get Dressed

Alzheimer's disease steals a person's privacy as surely as it steals memory. At a certain stage, your loved one may dimly recall a time when she could bathe herself, but that time has passed. As a caregiver, it's your job to keep her clean while maintaining her comfort and dignity.

The job description will change constantly with the disease. At first, the person in your care may feel embarrassed about undressing in front of you. You can ease his mind by giving him a towel or shower blanket to drape over himself. He'll also feel better if he can do most of the scrubbing. Just give him clear, step-by-step instructions as he goes along.

Modesty wears off with time, but new problems will set in. The person with Alzheimer's may become frightened or confused by the sound of running water, or she may fear drowning in a bathtub. If she seems alarmed, try changing your approach. For instance, it might help to put water in the tub before she enters the room, or to allow her to watch you run the water. She may prefer a sponge bath to a shower if, for example, the sound of the water hitting the tiles or tub is unsettling her. If bath time is still distressing, consider buying a bath chair and a handheld shower hose. The chair can be a way to help her relax, and you will worry less about slips and falls.

When bathing a person with Alzheimer's, safety is a very real concern. Check the temperature of the water, keep the bathwater no more than six inches deep, install a nonskid bath mat, and don't use any slippery bath oils or soaps. Handrails in the tub may also help. Most important, don't turn away for even a moment.

Here are some other tips for making bath time go smoothly:

•Set up a routine for bathing. If it continues to be a struggle, it's okay to wait a few days between baths. Do spot-washing with sponges instead.

•If he claims he doesn't need a bath, don't argue. Just keep giving him clear, simple instructions to help him get ready.

•Don't ignore a person's genital or anal area for the sake of dignity. There's nothing dignified about a nasty rash. If your loved one can't or won't wash these areas, gently do it for her.

•Make sure the person is completely dry, and put body powder, baby powder, or cornstarch in rolls of skin or under a woman's breasts.

•If a person refuses to bathe, use regular sponge baths as a last resort. Keep an eye out for red spots or rashes, so you can treat them before they become severe; consult a doctor if they are long lasting or can't be identified.

-- Chris Woolston, M.S., is a health and medical writer with a master's degree in biology. He is a contributing editor at Consumer Health Interactive, and was the staff writer at Hippocrates, a magazine for physicians. He has also covered science issues for Time Inc. Health, WebMD, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. His reporting on occupational health earned him an award from the northern California Society of Professional Journalists.

References

First published July 24, 2000
Last updated March 17, 2008
Copyright © 2000 Consumer Health Interactive

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