Helping Your Loved Ones Maintain Their Hygiene as They Age

Helping your loved ones continue to maintain their personal care as they age is incredibly important, as improper personal hygiene can have negative effects on mental and physical health. Talking to your loved one about hygiene can seem uncomfortable because it is such a personal issue, but poor personal hygiene is the first indicator that a loved one is struggling with daily tasks of living and needs help. In this blog post we will discuss common age-related barriers to poor hygiene, how hygiene needs change with age, and tips and tricks to help your loved one maintain their hygiene as they age.

What Are Some Common Age-Related Barriers to Poor Hygiene?

• Decreased Mobility: Mobility changes with age. Barriers like limited flexibility and dexterity make hygiene tasks difficult.

• Sensory Changes: Seniors often experience the loss or decline in their sense of smell and sight. These changes can contribute to poor hygiene by leaving seniors unaware of problems.

• Cognitive Decline: Alzheimer's and dementia, cognitive diseases common in the elderly, affect an individual's brain function and may make it difficult for them to maintain hygiene routines that they have not struggled with before.

• Emotional Factors: Emotional factors can be a huge component in poor hygiene. Loneliness and depression can make self-care tasks seem impossible.

  
  

How Do Hygiene Needs Change With Age?

• Thinning of skin: According to Medline Plus, as you age skin is thinner, more fragile, and you lose some of the protective fat layer and elasticity which affects its ability to retain moisture. With age, blood vessels become more fragile meaning that bruising occurs more easily. Taking these skin changes into account is important when helping your loved ones make a hygiene care plan.

• Denture care: Dentures require special care that is different to our teeth. Ensuring that your loved one is following these care instructions is crucial to avoid irritation or even gum disease.

  
  

Tips and Tricks to Helping Your Loved One Maintain Hygiene!

• Remove the shame element! Sit down and have an honest conversation with your loved one. What are they doing right? What tasks are difficult for them? As we have covered, deteriorating hygiene is often caused by age related issues, likely your loved one either not in control of their situation, or not aware of it. Its important to be sensitive and sympathetic when you address this issue. If your loved one feels supported rather than judged, it can eliminate their feelings of shame about the situation.

• Make an accessible plan! Collaborate on solutions to their problems. If accessible is an issue, be sure to address key problem areas such as the bathroom. If they need assistance to complete essential tasks and you are not able to step in, consider working with a home care agency for extra support.

  
  

Home Care as Part of the Solution

Home care agencies can be an integral part of the solution to helping your loved one maintain their personal hygiene. Home care aides are qualified to facilitate or provide a variety of personal care tasks such as bathing, hair care, and dental care! In addition to personal care tasks, home care aides can perform other duties to facilitate an independent aging experience such as light housework, meal preparation, and transportation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, supporting your loved ones in their personal care as they age is essential, as neglecting personal hygiene can adversely affect their mental and physical well-being Age-related challenges and shifting needs can complicate personal hygiene management without support.

If you are interested in home care for yourself or a loved one, please call Total at 219-937-2811 for an in home assessment!