Nursing Assistant Monthly Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Bathing & grooming: Personalizing dementia care April 2011

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. April 2011 Bathing and grooming: Personalizing care in dementia Through the eyes of the resident Bathing and grooming  Is personal –“I miss my familiar routine.” –“I’m embarrassed.”  Can be uncomfortable –“The room is cold (or too bright, noisy).”  Might even be scary for a confused resident –“Who is this person? What does she want?” –“The water looks too deep!”

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. April 2011 Bathing and grooming: Personalizing care in dementia Through the eyes of the caregiver Bathing and grooming residents with dementia  Is hard work  Can be frustrating –“Why does this resident resist? I’m only trying to help!”  Takes time –“I don’t have time for any extras.” –“I need to get the job done — other residents need me too!”

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. April 2011 Bathing and grooming: Personalizing care in dementia Is there a better way? Understanding what is behind the struggle can help us to:  Make the experience more comfortable for residents.  Address the fear.  Work together toward creative solutions for individual residents.

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. April 2011 Bathing and grooming: Personalizing care in dementia Alternative bathing techniques For some residents with dementia, a shower or tub bath may be too stressful. Other possible options:  Towel bath with no-rinse soap  A series of mini-baths (bathing a different body part each day)  Bathing in the resident’s room in a recliner (no rinse soap works well for this)

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. April 2011 Bathing and grooming: Personalizing care in dementia Tips for success  Set a calm mood –Pleasant lighting, quiet environment  Make it comfortable –Room temperature, keep resident covered as much as possible –If resident is agitated, ask nurse to check for pain  Make it safe –Stay with the resident –Check water temperature –Wipe up wet floors

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. April 2011 Bathing and grooming: Personalizing care in dementia Creativity can lead to cooperation  Brainstorm with coworkers –What does the resident enjoy? –How can you turn the task (bath or grooming) into a fun or pleasurable experience?  Involve the family –Ask about the resident’s past preferences  Be flexible –If it isn’t working, try a different time of day, or a different CNA –What works today might not work tomorrow

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. April 2011 Bathing and grooming: Personalizing care in dementia Some final thoughts  A person with dementia may not be able to make sense of the situation.  Resistance could mean –Fear –Feeling overwhelmed (too much stimulation) –Pain –Discomfort –Or a combination of these  Do your best to help the resident feel comfortable & safe