Alzheimer’s Disease and Bathing, What To Do To Make Things Easier

A Major Challenge

Bathing a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is often a major challenge for caregivers. You may find that what works one day may not work the next day. Here are some suggestions for making bath time a little less frustrating:

• Try bathing them at different times of the day. Many individuals with Alzheimer’s are more coherent (and therefore more cooperative) in the morning. However, if this is not working for you, you may want to try another time such as just before bed.

   

• Offer rewards for cooperative behaviour – perhaps a favourite food or drink before and after the bath.

   

• Allow them to choose some bubble bath to put in the tub. Getting them involved with the process may increase cooperation.

   

• Be gentle with your words and actions, never raise your voice, and keep instructions simple and straightforward.

   

• Be guiding, not commanding.

   

• If the person absolutely refuses to take a bath, stop and try again later. You can try again in 20 minutes when they are in a different mood.

   

• Provide them with something to hold i.e. face towel, sponge, soft colorful loofah.

   

• Record what works in a care journal. Routines are excellent for Alzheimer’s patients and will assist all involved with caring for the individual.

   

• You may also want to cover over the mirror as some Alzheimer’s patients think someone else is in the room and may get embarrassed or anxious.

   

• Put on some soft music or perhaps sing some known songs with them so they can sing along with you.

   

• Have all supplies ready to go in the bathroom so you don’t have to leave.

   

• Fill the tub in advance. This will also help to warm up the room, making it more comfortable. Be sure the temperature is just right for them.

   

• If using the shower, use a handheld shower head as water splashing in the face can be very disturbing for people with Alzheimer’s. Provide them with a cloth to hold on to as they may be able to wipe their face from splashes

   

• Try engaging them with activities and fun discussion during the bath time.

   

• Encourage them to wash themselves.

   

• Cover body parts with a thin beach towel while you wash one uncovered body part at a time.  Having an extra wet towel may not be so bad if it bring cooperation.

   

• Be mindful of past situations that may bring up scary memories i.e. near drowning incidences, war time tragedies with the word “shower”, and/or a past physical violation. By having sensitivity to these past memories you may be able to make a difficult situation into a more comfortable bathing experience.

   

Caregiving can be incredibly frustrating, give yourself a pat on the back for all of your hard work. Don’t forget to contact outside sources if you need support or if the bathing duty is feeling too much for you.