Good Hygiene Tips for Seniors

As we age, everything seems to be a bit more challenging to do. Even things we once were so meticulous about, such as our own personal hygiene, can be difficult, and start to get neglected. For many seniors, good personal hygiene can be difficult, because it is harder to move, harder to bend and reach places, and often hard to have enough energy to do these things.

Sometimes depression creeps in, and seniors see personal hygiene as pointless. They feel isolated, and don’t see many people any more, so they often don’t even try. Eventually, that can spiral, and cause a complete lack of self care. However, there are simple tips we can follow to help ensure our senior loved ones have good hygiene.

Establish A Routine

Creating a daily hygiene routine that includes things such as showering, getting dressed, bruising their teeth and combing their hair is helpful for seniors. Help layout everything they will need for the day for their personal hygiene so they have easy access to it, and so they can see it, which will serve as a reminder of what they need to do.

Provide A Safe Space

Often seniors are worried they might fall or get hurt, and so they don’t even bother going up the stairs to the master bath to brush their teeth after breakfast. Or they don’t bother showering because the floor might be slippery and they fear falling. Creating a safe space for them to do these regular hygiene necessities is important.

You can help them out by doing things such as having a second toothbrush and toothpaste set on the first level, so they can just head to the nearest bathroom after meal time. Keep a comb and brush nearby too, so they can freshen up in the bathroom. Bath mats and rugs beneath the sink can start posing a tripping hazard as your seniors age. Remove anything that might cause a fall, or cause your senior to become unbalanced. Instal grab bars near the toilet and near the shower so they feel safe when using them.

Purchase Items That Might Help

These days there are so many new items on the market that can make life easier for your seniors. There are toothpaste tubes with easier to pop on and off tops. There are items such as brushes with larger handles, designed specifically with seniors in mind. There also are razors, brushes and toenail clippers with longer handles, which make them easier to use, especially for seniors who have trouble bending and maneuvering for these hygiene tasks. Keep an eye out for the easiest-to-use items for your senior.

There also are safety items, such as non-skid mats and strips for the shower.

If using the toilet is difficult, there are risers for toilet seats that make it easier to get up, and even commodes that seniors can use. Additionally, there are shower chairs, where seniors can sit while bathing, as well as cleansing wipes so they don’t need to get into the shower each day. Be creative, and look for the items that will be the most useful, and provide the safest environment for your seniors.

We Can Help

If you would like some help ensuring good hygiene for your seniors, our professionals at Visiting Angels The Villages can help. We can do everything from assistance with bathing to brushing hair. We also can help seniors follow a routine each day, and remind them when things need to be done. Visiting Angels caregivers can ensure your senior lives independently in their own home, while still maintaining a healthy, clean lifestyle.

With clients in The Villages, Lady Lake, Fruitland Park, and other communities in Lake and Sumter counties, we are experts at helping seniors maintain meaningful lives. For information on helpers in Lake and Sumter Counties, contact us online or call us at (352) 643-0702. Our main office is located at 367 Fennell Blvd.