One of the most important things you can do when faced with the death of a loved one is to allow yourself to grieve. You may experience shock, anger, sadness, and can even feel lost or helpless. This is normal, but it is necessary to express these feelings because keeping them in will only lessen your ability to cope.
Talk to your family and friends about what you are feeling. It is likely that they are feeling the same emotions as you and talking about it will help you cope and find closure. Talking about your loved one after their death is also a great way to honor their memory and help you appreciate the moments you had with them. There are other ways to honor them as well, including donating to their favorite charities, planting a tree in their memory, or spending time with family to share stories and reminisce with photos of fun times. These kinds of activities, while they may seem difficult, will help you find closure and acceptance.
When you experience the death of a family member, you will be filled with many emotions and may also be required to do things like make funeral arrangements or work with their estate planners to carry out their final will. During this time, it is imperative that you take care of yourself and not neglect your needs – eat well, get plenty of rest, and try to continue doing the things that bring you joy. Whether this is exercise or spending time with friends, this will help you cope and keep a level head while dealing with other responsibilities.
An important aspect of being a caregiver is providing assistance related to personal hygiene, particularly with bathing.
If you’re not an experienced care provider, you may feel a little lost or overwhelmed when approaching this task. Here are some tips that will help you bathe your senior patient safely, efficiently, and in a way that puts both you and them at ease.
Bathing tips for caregivers of seniors
Keep an eye to safety
Before you begin, take a moment to ensure that the bathroom is clean and free of safety hazards. Check that the floors are not wet or slippery. Consider laying down non-slip rubber mats or rugs on the floor and traction pads in the shower area.
Get everything in place beforehand
Prep the bathing area with everything you’ll need: towels, toiletries, and clean clothes for the patient to wear after the bath. The temperature in the room is also important. For the patient’s comfort, the room should feel a little on the warm side.
Consider modesty
Don’t forget that modesty is likely important to the patient, so have some extra towels on hand that can be used to cover their private areas.
Check the water temperature and pressure
Everyone has different levels of sensitivity, so check in with your patient or loved one about the heat and pressure of the water and adjust it to their comfort level.
Wash with care and respect
Provide appropriate assistance with washing, and avoid making sudden, abrupt, or unexpected movements that could take your patient by surprise. Washing habits are especially important in home hospice care. Let them know what you’ll do before you touch them so that they can be prepared and give their consent.
Finishing up
Help the patient get out of the tub. The best way to do this is to let all the water drain out first (if you’re giving them a bath) before helping them exit the tub. Wrap them in a towel and help them dry off thoroughly. If they have difficulty standing on their own, have them sit on a stool cushioned with a towel.
Westlake Village Hospice, Inc provides home hospice care for patients in Los Angeles, Arleta, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Burbank, Chatsworth, Encino, Glendale, Glenoaks, Granada HIlls, Hansen Hills, Hidden Hills, La Crescenta, Lake Balboa, Lake View Terrace, MIssion Hills, North Hills, North Hollywood, Northridge, Pacoima, Panorama City, Porter Ranch, Reseda, San Fernando, Shadow Hills, Sherman Oaks, Sun Valley, Sunland, Studio City, Sylmar, Tarzana, Thousand Oaks, Toluca Lake, Toluca Terrace, Tujunga, Valley Glen, Valley Village, Van Nuys, Vergudo, West Hills, West Toluca Lake, Winnetka, Woodland Hills, Ventura County, Antelope Valley, and the San Fernando Valley.
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