Seniors may avoid showering for a number of reasons. Some seniors are not physically able to shower very easily so they need personal care at home and may only be able to shower on certain days when personal care at home is available to them. Others may suffer from depression or anxiety and not shower often because of those conditions. And some seniors may just avoid it because they are worried that they are going to fall in the shower. But how often do seniors really need to shower to be healthy?
According to medical experts seniors don’t need to shower every day like younger people. Most medical professionals seem to think that showering once or twice a week is fine for seniors. Seniors that are very active may want to shower twice a week. And during the warm summer months seniors may need to shower more often if they are outdoors in the heat often or if they don’t have air conditioning at home and they are very sweaty during the day.
Showering regularly is essential for seniors so that they can avoid rashes and skin conditions that can occur when skin isn’t cleaned. And seniors will just feel better when they are clean. A hot bath in between showers can help seniors relax and destress, especially during the winter when it’s cold out, but showers are still necessary for getting clean. Seniors who are worried about showering regularly because they are afraid of falling can use these tips to stay safe in the bathroom and shower:
Get Personal Care At Home
Personal care at home is specialized care to help seniors specially with things like hygiene tasks and showering. The people who perform personal care are trained in ways to help seniors safely shower and get dressed. If your senior parent is nervous about showering because they are worried they will fall having personal care at home might be a way to provide reassurance and support so that they feel comfortable showering more often.
Put Down Non-Slip Mats
Non-slip mats can be placed in the shower and throughout the bathroom so that seniors don’t slip and fall on wet bathroom floor tile. You can also put down non-slip decals in the shower and on the floor to help protect your senior parent from falling. It’s also a good idea to put a bath chair or bench in the shower and install some grab bars.
Wear Non-Slip Shower Shoes
Seniors can stay on their feet in the shower by wearing non-slip shower shoes with good traction. Shower shoes aren’t just for the gym or the pool. They can be a smart way for seniors to protect themselves against falling in the shower or while they are in the bathroom. Look for shower shoes that have a high traction sole and are easy for seniors to slip on and off on their own. Non-slip shoes can also be worn in the kitchen and any other area where the floors are not carpeted and can be slippery.
If you are considering personal care at home in Memorial, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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