Bathing, Personal Hygiene & Personal Care

About Bathing, Personal Hygiene & Personal Care

What to Know About Bathing, Personal Hygiene, and Personal Care Products

Helping your loved one bathe is an important piece of caregiving, and whether you’re washing a loved one’s hair, helping them brush their teeth, or helping cleanse a bed-ridden loved one, we have the supplies to help.

Daily self-care is essential, and being capable of taking care of yourself and your loved ones will help with other daily activities and improve general health. From getting the right amount of sleep and exercise, to creating bathing and hygiene routines, Carewell has comprehensive personal care and hygiene options.

How to Choose Hygiene Products

When selecting self-care products, you should take a few factors into account:

Skin Care

Regarding skin care, first consider your skin type or the type of your loved one. This will help you narrow down which products will work best for you. Do you have sensitive skin? Dry skin? Oily skin? Combination skin? Knowing your skin type will make it easier to find products that will work well for you.

Mobility Level

Next, consider your loved ones’ mobility level.

Bed-bound or very limited mobility: Staying clean can be a real challenge for loved ones that suffer from limited mobility - if you or the person you’re caring for is bed-bound, consider some of our no-rinse options, like no-rinse cleansers and shampoos. Adult wipes and bathing gloves make for easier cleaning from bed.
Moderate mobility: Shower chairs and bath benches are a great way to help loved ones shower if they struggle for long periods of time. Integrating no-rinse cleansing supplies in between showers can also help a loved one feel refreshed when they don’t feel up to a full shower. Full mobility: Loved ones with full mobility or loved ones that are able to shower regularly on their alone should prioritize other features like scent.

Reviews

Finally, take some time to read reviews of self care products before making your purchase. This can be a great way to narrow down your choices and find the perfect self care products for you. Take Sween 24’s Once a Day Bold Cream, for Normal to Dry, Flaky, Itchy skin. Kathryn S. raves “This is the best rich, non-greasy moisture cream. It stays on and really protects.”

FAQs

What are the types of personal hygiene?

Some of the most important include:

Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly
Washing your face and body daily
Wearing clean clothes
Keeping your hair clean and trimmed
Avoiding touching your face
Cleaning your home and workspace.

Why is personal hygiene important?

A good habit for wellness is taking care of yourself; and personal hygiene is an excellent start. Poor personal hygiene can lead to the spread of disease and illness, as well as body odor. Good personal hygiene habits include bathing regularly, washing your hands often, and brushing your teeth. Wearing clean clothes and keeping your nails trimmed can also help to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria.

Can I use a wipe instead of a shower?

When showering or taking a bath is not an option, washcloths or bath wipes are a good solution and we have a variety to choose from at Carewell. For example, disposable cloths: Simply use one washcloth for each area of the body and discard. No rinsing is required. Packaged for individual use only, but do not flush these wipes in the toilet.

How do I keep my loved one clean between showers?

By using no-rinse bathing products, you can go longer between showers while still keeping your loved one clean and fresh. No-rinse shampoo caps, no-rinse body washes, and disposable bath wipes are a few of our favorites.

What types of safety hazards does the bathroom present for people with Alzheimer’s & Dementia?

Falls are the most common type of injury in people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and the bathroom is one of the most dangerous places in the home for a fall to occur. Wet floors, loose rugs, and cluttered surfaces are potential hazards in the bathroom that can contribute to a fall.

Some other safety hazards that can be present in the bathroom for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia include:

Scalding hazards from hot water: test the temperature of water with the back of your hand before bathing a loved one
Burns from electrical appliances such as hair dryers
Choking hazards from small items that can be swallowed: be sure to keep these away from the bathing area
Poisoning hazards from cleaning products and medications: keep products out of the shower and grab bottles as needed

To make the space as safe as possible, remove potential hazards, such as loose rugs, and install safety devices such as grab bars, if needed. It is important to make sure that the person with Alzheimer’s or Dementia is supervised when using the bathroom, and that someone is available to assist them if necessary.