Caregivers Should Ensure Patients Have Safe and Comfortable Baths

For those patients who need special safety protocols during baths, or are in need of assistance during baths, having proper shower items and trusted caregivers can go a long way in improving their lifestyle. Caregivers could follow the measures mentioned below to ensure patients have safe and comfortable baths.

When it comes to those undergoing rehabilitation, or suffering from a disease or physical injury, many aspects of everyday life can become challenging. Taking care of personal hygiene and baths can be one major area of trouble. Family members or medical professionals might act as primary caregivers in such cases. The responsibility of ensuring that patients are given baths regularly and in a safe and cautious manner falls to these primary caregivers.

There are various measures and safety protocols that could be implemented in order to ensure that disabled or rehabilitating individuals have safe and comfortable baths (www.healthnetcafe.com, "PERSONAL HYGIENE: ASSIST IN BATHING", 2016). The following are some such measures that could be followed:

Check Patient Details

For those who might be in charge of assisting many patients, it is important that there is no confusion between different patients’ conditions and requirements. Some patients might be better off with cool temperature baths, while others might require warm water. Some might not be allowed to move a lot, or water therapy and movement might be recommended for some. Having a clear idea of these individual requirements would help caregivers set up appropriate bathing equipment and materials.

Organize Supplies

Bathrooms and washing areas must be prepared in advance so as to avoid confusion during baths. By organizing required supplies and items such as towels, shampoo, soap, scrubbers, etc, caregivers can have an easier time assisting patients with baths. Such items must be kept in easy to reach places. Caregivers could also keep ready equipment such as a duschvagn that might be required to bathe patients who might not be able to sit or stand during baths and showers.

Pay Attention to Comfort

The room temperature of bathing areas must be optimal for patients, especially elderly ones or those suffering from serious ailments. During the bath, caregivers should repeatedly check with patients to know if they are comfortable, if the water temperature is acceptable, if soap has gotten into their eyes, etc. Requiring assistance for baths can be embarrassing and difficult for patients. It is the caregiver’s duty to ensure patients are made to feel as comfortable and unselfconscious as possible during such activities.

Be Accommodating

In many cases, depending on the severity of patients’ profiles and specific ailments or disabilities, they might prefer to wash and bathe themselves. However, the presence of an aide or a caregiver might still be required. Caregivers could interact with patients to understand the extent of help they would prefer while bathing. Setting up a duschstol, helping them get onto it, handing them towels, etc, might be the extent of what such patients require and are comfortable with.

When it comes to rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and everyday care of disabled or sick individuals, caregivers must keep in mind both the mental and physical needs of such individuals. It is important for people to be as self-sufficient as possible so that they do not feel that their dignity is compromised. Having sturdy bathing equipment oriented toward rehabilitating people, is one way to ensure that patients feel as comfortable as possible during fully or semi assisted baths. Another is to develop a rapport with them that establishes a bond of trust between caregivers and patients. Especially for those patients whose conditions improve with rehabilitation, helping them to build their confidence can ensure they are able to perform daily activities like bathing, eating, etc, sooner by themselves. Those in the profession of care-giving can purchase various bathing equipment and items such as a duschpall or a trolley from Kebo Care Fysio. More information can be found on their website.

Rosy Tambe is an author who writes about rehabilitation training. He has submitted several articles on different platforms ranging from Massage balls to benefit of rehabilitation and other subjects.