Caregiver Tips on Bathing, Dressing and Eating for a person with Dementia

Sometimes the Daily activties like Bathing, Dressing and Eating can be a huge challenge for caregivers looking after a person with dementia. Here are a few useful tips. Let us know which one you find helpful.

Tips for Bathing

For some people bath time can be a frightening, confusing experience. 

• Plan the bath or shower for the time of day when the person is most calm and agreeable. Be consistent. Try to develop a routine.
• Tell the person what you are going to do, step by step, and allow him/her to do as much as possible.
• Prepare in advance. Make sure you have everything you need ready and in the bathroom before beginning. Draw the bath ahead of time.
• Be sensitive to the temperature. Warm up the room beforehand if necessary and keep extra towels and a robe nearby. Test the water temperature before beginning the bath or shower.
• Minimize safety risks by using a handheld showerhead, shower bench, grab bars, and non-skid bath mats. Never leave the person alone in the bath or shower.
• Bathing may not be necessary every day. A sponge bath can be effective between baths.

Tips for Dressing

Getting dressed could present a series of challenges: choosing what to wear, getting some clothes off and other clothes on, and struggling with buttons and zippers.

• Try to have the person get dressed at the same time each day so he/she will come to expect it as part of the daily routine. 
• Encourage the person to dress himself/herself to whatever degree possible. Plan to allow extra time so there is no pressure or rush.
• Allow the person to choose from a limited selection of outfits. 
• Arrange the clothes in the order they are to be put on to help the person move through the process with ease.
• If the person needs prompting, provide clear, step-by-step instructions.
• Choose clothing that is comfortable, easy to get on and off, and easy to care for. Elastic waists and Velcro enclosures minimize struggles with buttons and zippers.

Tips for Eating 

• Ensure a quiet, calm atmosphere for eating. Limiting noise and other distractions may help the person focus on the meal.
• Provide a limited number of choices of food and serve small portions. You may want to offer several small meals throughout the day in place of three larger ones. 
• Use straws or cups with lids to make drinking easier.
• Substitute finger foods if the person struggles with utensils. Using a bowl instead of a plate also may help.
• Have healthy snacks on hand. To encourage eating, keep the snacks where they can be seen.
• Visit the dentist regularly to keep mouth and teeth healthy.

Coming up next week : Tips on staying active & alternate therapies !