1. Personal Care &
Hygiene Activities
Rev. April 2010

2. Key Points Before performing personal care and hygiene activities:
be sure a parent or a guardian has completed and signed the proper consent form (refer to personal hygiene consent form instructions).
review the activity with your direct supervisor. Make a clear plan as to who will be responsible for each hygiene related activity.
consult the Restraint Coordinator first if a student must be held during the activity.
consult with the team if you experience difficulty performing tasks.

3. Key Points
Many students require assistance for personal care and hygiene activities.
Personal hygiene should be done with dignity and respect.
Always ask permission and inform students prior to touching them and before each new task.
Students should be taught to be as independent as possible in personal care activities. Encourage students to participate in as many of these routines as possible.
During these routines if you notice changes (behavioral or medical) inform a coordinator in timely manner.
Gloves must be worn during these activities.

4. Key Points Personal items such as: nail clippers/emery boards razors
hairbrushes/combs
hair clippers
bars of soap
loofahs/washcloths
should NEVER be shared!

5. When and Where?
To support students’ learning and their privacy and dignity, personal hygiene routines should be done in appropriate places, usually in:
the student’s bedroom
bathrooms
changing rooms
Health Services

6. Staff Training
Direct supervisors will designate staff to perform personal care activities and insure they are properly trained.

7. Hair Cutting
Hair cutting should be done at a salon or at home whenever possible.
Only staff approved by the Coordinator of Residential Living or the Residential Supervisor who have prior haircutting experience may cut a student’s hair.
Students must have their own equipment.
Disinfect materials with every use.
Use a cape to protect clothing.

8. Trimming Nails Never cut the nails of a student:
with neuropathy
with Spina Bifida
with hang nails (refer to program nurse)
with bleeding problems
with other conditions that result in limited sensation
with Barbet-Beidl
with fungal nails
with diabetes
who is unable to remain still or cooperate with the task
Nail trimming should be done at a salon
or at home whenever possible.

9. Trimming Nails
Use emery boards rather than nail clippers whenever possible.
Each student must have his/her own nail clipper and emery board.
When in doubt, contact a nurse at Health Services.

10. Brushing Teeth
Residential students should have toothbrushing or oral care done at least twice a day.
Use separate oral care supplies for each student (i.e. toothbrush, toothbrush holders, toothpaste, etc.) Use only soft toothbrushes.
Use mouthwash and a toothette for students who cannot tolerate a toothbrush. These students may benefit from a desensitization program.

11. Brushing Teeth
Toothbrushes, toothbrush cases and electric toothbrush heads should be replaced at the time of each school vacation.
Clean toothbrush cases and cups in the sanitizer at least weekly.
To control the amount of foam during toothbrushing, apply a small amount of toothpaste (no more than the size of a pea) on the brush.
Consult with the student’s program nurse if there is new bleeding or areas of oral sensitivity.

12. Shaving Use separate shaving supplies for each student.
Store razors in a safe place.
Dispose of used razors in a sharps container.
Electric razors must be cleaned after each use.
Monitor razor blades for replacement.

13. Tampons
Tampons can be used on a case by case basis, as determined by the team.

14. Ear cleaning Never attempt to clean inside a student’s ear canal.
Ears should be cleaned with a warm, soapy washcloth around the ears during showers.
Do not use Q-tips to clean ears.
Call a nurse at Health Services to clean students’ ears.

15. Questions??
Ask your direct supervisor, and/or raise the question in a team meeting or behavior meeting so the entire team can work on a plan to:
ensure good health and proper hygiene;
teach the student to become independent as possible in his/her self-care and hygiene.

16. Self Test Do you need specific permission to participate?
When and where should personal hygiene occur?
Who needs to be involved in developing and implementing the plan?
Name three hygiene items that cannot be shared.

17. Thank you for your attention… …and for all the help you
provide to students every day!!!