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These changes call for patience, empathy, and a more supportive approach to care. In this article, we will explore why individuals with dementia often struggle with hygiene and share practical tips to help manage these issues while preserving their dignity.
Tips to Handle Hygiene Problems in Dementia:
Here, we will discuss some common hygiene issues and what you can do to help the person under your care and address those challenges in a professional manner.
1. Bathing Resistance:
Many seniors with dementia refuse to bathe because they don’t understand why it’s necessary, they think they have already showered or they’re afraid of slipping. A cold bathroom or running water can also trigger anxiety.
How You Can Help?
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Use calm, one-step directions: “Let’s go wash your hands,” instead of “It’s time for a bath.”
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Warm the room and water before starting.
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Respect privacy and modesty — offer a towel over their body during bathing.
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Allow choices: “Would you like to bathe before or after breakfast?”
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Consider alternatives like sponge baths when full showers cause distress.
- Add grab bars, transfer benches and non slip mats to help thier ease of falling
Also, try to keep their bathing routine the same every day. This will help you find what works best for the person, and you can then repeat the same process to avoid distress and arguments.
2. Incontinence and Toileting Issues:
Incontinence is very common in individuals living with dementia, especially in the later stages. As you may know, dementia affects the brain’s ability to communicate with the rest of the body, making even basic tasks difficult.
While a healthy person can feel the urge to go to the bathroom and respond appropriately, in someone with dementia, those signals from the brain are often disrupted. Even if they do feel the urge, they may forget how to get to the bathroom, what a toilet is for, or how to use it properly.
How You Can Help?
- Encourage regular toilet use, such as upon waking, before meals, and every two hours during the day, to reduce accidents.
- Keep a log of toileting habits to identify and anticipate needs.
- Opt for clothing with elastic waistbands or Velcro fastenings to make undressing easier and quicker.
- Ensure adequate hydration during the day while limiting fluids in the evening to prevent nighttime accidents.
- Label the bathroom doors Use clear signage or color-coded bathroom doors.
- Be attentive to signs like restlessness or facial expressions that may indicate the need to use the toilet.
- After any incontinence episode, gently clean the skin to prevent irritation and infections.
3. Oral Hygiene Refusal:
Oral hygiene is an essential part of daily care, but it can become one of the most difficult tasks for professional caregivers. As the disease progresses, senior with dementia may begin to refuse to brush their teeth or allow others to assist.
It is mainly because many seniors do not understand what the caregiver is trying to do, or they may find toothbrushing confusing, frightening, or physically uncomfortable.
How You Can Help?
1. Carry out oral care at the same time each day
2. Break the process into short, clear commands like “Hold your toothbrush,” or “Let’s rinse your mouth now.” Avoid overwhelming them with too many directions at once.
3. Use the Tell-Show-Do method. First, tell them what you’re going to do. Then show the action. Finally, gently perform the action.
4. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and try unflavored or mild toothpaste. Some caregivers find success using a foam swab or electric toothbrush.
Read More: Maintaining Oral Health in Elderly: Concerns and Prevention
4. Refusing to Change Clothes:
People with dementia may refuse to change clothes for a few common reasons. Their memory can get mixed up, so they might forget they already changed or not understand why they need to change again. They often get attached to certain clothes because those feel familiar and safe. New or different clothes can feel strange or uncomfortable to them. Also, changing clothes can feel like losing control or breaking their routine, which can make them resist.
How You Can Help?
1. Never argue or try to reason about changing clothes. This often increases agitation and resistance.
2. Consider buying multiple sets of the same outfit that they prefer to wear.
3. Make dressing as simple as possible by offering only a few clothing options that are easy to put on and take off.
4. Choose clothing in solid colors rather than busy patterns, as patterns can be confusing, distracting, or visually overwhelming.
5. Pay attention to timing: if they tend to be tired or agitated at certain times, try scheduling dressing during their calmest periods of the day.
Read More: 7 Effective Ways to Manage Aggression in Seniors with Dementia
Dignified and Compassionate Dementia In-home Care:
We know that caring for a loved one with dementia can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re doing it alone. At ConsidraCare, we provide trusted in-home dementia care for families across the Greater Toronto Area, so you don’t have to go through this journey by yourself.
Our trained caregivers handle even the most sensitive challenges that arise as the disease progresses such as behavioral issues with compassion, dignity, and respect. Every care plan is personalized and evolves as your loved one’s needs change. This way, we ensure your loved one gets the right care at every stage.
Reach out to us today to find out how we can help your loved one with expert, compassionate dementia care at home.
FAQ’s
1. How should you manage behaviors caused by dementia during bathing?
When a senior with dementia becomes upset or fearful during a bath, it’s important to slow down and adjust your approach. Offer simple, reassuring explanations for each step and involve them in the process to give a sense of control — even small tasks like holding a towel or choosing the soap can help. If they still resist, it’s often more effective to keep a routine of every day activities. Keep the atmosphere warm, quiet, and predictable can also ease anxiety around bathing.
2. What stage of dementia is poor hygiene?
Significant hygiene decline usually begins in the moderate stages of dementia, when memory lapses, confusion, and reduced cognitive functioning make it difficult to follow hygiene routines.
Many dementia patients may forget how to run a bath, struggle to dress appropriately, or believe they’ve already cleaned themselves. In more advanced stages, physical limitations and severe cognitive decline may make full personal care assistance necessary.
3. How to stop dementia patients from undressing?
To stop dementia patients from undressing, you have to understand their behavior and look for the root cause. It may be linked to discomfort, confusion, or even feeling too hot.
You should gently redirect their attention or guide them to a private area if it’s becoming disruptive. In more persistent cases, specialized clothing like anti-strip bodysuits can help — these look like regular outfits but are designed to discourage disrobing, while still being comfortable and dignified.
4. How do you manage incontinence in dementia patients?
Supporting a someone with incontinence involves balancing dignity and practicality. Choose adaptive clothing that makes toileting quicker and less stressful, and consider using absorbent briefs during outings or overnight.
Keep a consistent bathroom routine and watch for subtle cues that the patient needs to go, especially if they have trouble communicating. Gentle reminders and easy-to-locate bathrooms can help reduce accidents.
5. What clothes should a person with dementia wear?
Dementia patients do best with clothing that’s simple, soft, and easy to manage. Look for items with elastic waistbands, Velcro closures, and front openings to avoid confusion or discomfort. Avoid tight buttons or items that go over the head. If they have strong clothing preferences, try to keep a few similar outfits available to reduce stress during dressing.
Maryam is a leading writer at ConsidraCare, specializing in senior care. Her well-researched articles are widely recognized for guiding families through the complexities of caring for loved ones, establishing her as a trusted and authoritative voice in the field.
