Bathing Disability and Bathing Persons with Dementia was an article written in the January/February 2015 issue of MedSurg Nursing. This article outlined specific ways in which nurses can better approach bathing patients with Dementia.
47.5 million people worldwide suffer from Dementia. What is Dementia? Dementia is a progressive chronic syndrome that affects an individuals cognitive function. It is caused by damage to brain cells. “Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms” (“What is Dementia”, 2015). Dementia encompasses the inability to process thoughts, memories, language skills, learning abilities, and comprehension. It mainly affects individuals over 60 years of age, but …show more content…
First, take your time. It might seen logical to get the process done as quickly as possible, but this simply adds to their discomfort and agitation. Therefore, prepare the patient for the bath by explaining what you will be doing and by listening to and observing your client for what their needs may be. Ask family members about the patients prior bathing habits and try to replicate those. Wash one section of their body at a time while keeping all others covered. Start with the least sensitive body areas and pat the skin dry rather than rub the skin. Also, provide an environment with minimal noise. Be aware of your body mechanics and move in a smooth fashion while also preparing your client for their next move. Next, ensure privacy and comfort by drawing curtains, speaking in a soft voice, and reassuring clients. Also, provide adaptive modifications and equipment to ensure the clients safety. When your client appears to become agitated, use verbal cues, diversion tactics, persuasion, or simply step back from the situation and allow them the time to recompose and possibly attempt to give a bath at a later time. There are other situations in which humor, purposeful conversations, praise, and compliments are exactly what your client needs to lower their level of anxiety. Lastly, always use layman terms while speaking
47.5 million people worldwide suffer from Dementia. What is Dementia? Dementia is a progressive chronic syndrome that affects an individuals cognitive function. It is caused by damage to brain cells. “Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms” (“What is Dementia”, 2015). Dementia encompasses the inability to process thoughts, memories, language skills, learning abilities, and comprehension. It mainly affects individuals over 60 years of age, but …show more content…
First, take your time. It might seen logical to get the process done as quickly as possible, but this simply adds to their discomfort and agitation. Therefore, prepare the patient for the bath by explaining what you will be doing and by listening to and observing your client for what their needs may be. Ask family members about the patients prior bathing habits and try to replicate those. Wash one section of their body at a time while keeping all others covered. Start with the least sensitive body areas and pat the skin dry rather than rub the skin. Also, provide an environment with minimal noise. Be aware of your body mechanics and move in a smooth fashion while also preparing your client for their next move. Next, ensure privacy and comfort by drawing curtains, speaking in a soft voice, and reassuring clients. Also, provide adaptive modifications and equipment to ensure the clients safety. When your client appears to become agitated, use verbal cues, diversion tactics, persuasion, or simply step back from the situation and allow them the time to recompose and possibly attempt to give a bath at a later time. There are other situations in which humor, purposeful conversations, praise, and compliments are exactly what your client needs to lower their level of anxiety. Lastly, always use layman terms while speaking