If you have a senior parent that is living at home and they are starting to struggle with hygiene issues you’re probably not sure how to help them. It can be awkward and uncomfortable to talk with a senior parent about poor hygiene. And it can be embarrassing for them to have to admit that they can’t do things like brush their teeth or shower on their own. But, poor hygiene is a health issue as well as a cosmetic issue. Seniors who are struggling with hygiene need help and personal care at home providers can assist in that situation.
There are ways that you can approach the topic positively and productively. And there are things that you can do to help a senior parent with their hygiene that won’t be embarrassing or awkward for either of you like:
Personal Care at Home
Personal care at home is a type of home care service that specializes in hygiene and tasks like getting dressed. With personal care at home, your senior parent will have experienced and professionally trained help with showering, going to the bathroom, brushing their teeth and getting ready each morning, getting out of bed safely, and getting dressed and undressed. Talk to our personal care at home agency now about personal care for your senior parent.
Keep Lines Of Communication Open
Start by having a compassionate and non-judgmental conversation with your senior parent about your hygiene concerns. Approach the topic with empathy and understanding, expressing your love and concern for their well-being. Use “I” statements to communicate your observations and feelings without blaming or shaming them. Let them know it’s ok for them to come to you if they need help.
Identify the Underlying Issues
Understand the reasons behind your parent’s hygiene struggles. It could be due to physical limitations, cognitive decline, depression, pain, or medication side effects. By identifying the underlying issues, you can better address their specific needs and provide appropriate support. There may be a medical cause that can be made better with medication or therapy. They also may need to see a medical provider to see if an underlying medical condition is causing the problems.
Adapt the Environment
Make modifications to the bathroom to enhance accessibility and safety for your senior parent. Install grab bars, non-slip mats, shower chairs, and handrails to prevent falls and facilitate independent bathing. Ensure that toiletries, towels, and clothing are easily accessible and organized.
Take Proactive Steps
If your parent is struggling with urinary or fecal incontinence take a proactive stance. Make an appointment with their medical provider. Then make sure they have products that can help like absorbent pads, adult diapers, or waterproof mattress covers. Encourage your parent to follow a toileting schedule and practice pelvic floor exercises to improve bladder control.
Encourage Healthy Habits
Encourage your parent to maintain good overall health and hygiene habits, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, hydration, and adequate sleep. These lifestyle factors can have a positive impact on physical and mental well-being, including personal hygiene.
Provide Emotional Support
Understand that your parent may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or resistant to discussing hygiene issues. Offer emotional support, reassurance, and encouragement, emphasizing that you are there to help and support them without judgment. Validate their feelings and concerns and reassure them that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home Services in Madison NJ, please get in touch with the caring staff at Helping Hands Homecare today. Call (908) 418-4299
Helping Hands Homecare provides Senior Home Care Services throughout Northern and Central New Jersey, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside, Short Hills, Millburn, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Kenilworth, Chatham, Madison, Metuchen, and surrounding areas.
After graduating from Seton Hall University with a BS in finance Helping Hands Homecare’s Owner / President, Robert D’Arienzo, went to work on Wall St. for six years. However, after Robert’s grandmother became ill with stomach cancer Robert and his family needed to find assistance in the home for her. After many trials and tribulations Robert could see that there was a great need for quality home care services here in NJ and loved the idea of being able to assist other families who were going through what his family went through with his beloved grandmother.
Thus, Robert had found his passion. After almost a year of preparation Robert opened Helping Hands Homecare in 2003. Robert wanted Helping Hands Homecare to focus on providing the highest quality of caregivers, exceptional customer service, and providing a service that familys could depend on in their time of need. Since then Helping Hands has assisted hundreds of individuals with the simplest of needs to more complex cases while preserving those standards set out many years ago.
Robert is a Google Verified Author
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