bath time and alzheimer's

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Hi all,

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips on how to bathe a resident having alzheimer's (stage 3). The resident gets aggressif (yelling, pitching,...) during bath time (mostly because she is cold even though the heat is on and I let the hot water run for a while before getting her into the bathroom.

Thank you:loveya:

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No one:bluecry1:

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All I can suggest, since every pt is different, is don't take the gown off while you bathe her, your going to change it anyway, so get it wet if you have to. Put a bath blanket on her too if you have them and start at her feet, use lots of washcloths (and have two pans of water, one for dirty parts, feet, perineal, and armpits) wash her face first, and then move up her body washing everything as you go. Don't use the rule cleanest to dirtiest with these patients just wash everything in your path switching cloths often. It will probably be difficult no matter what, but this may help. Also, try to maintain eye contact when you are working on her upper body, usually if I do that and tell them to stop or not to hit when they start to swing or roll, it stops them. Good Luck and be careful!

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Hi all,

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips on how to bathe a resident having alzheimer's (stage 3). The resident gets aggressif (yelling, pitching,...) during bath time (mostly because she is cold even though the heat is on and I let the hot water run for a while before getting her into the bathroom.

Thank you:loveya:

Have you tried a bed bath? If showering or bathing in the tub is so stressful then you shouldn't do it.If this is LTC she should be care-planned accordingly. A bed bath is just as good as a dunking.Will she go to a hairdresser for a shampoo? If not try a dry or no- rinse type. Keep her covered with a blanket you have warmed in the clothes dryer-also slippy socks.Cold feet can trigger those behaviors. Other ideas to try - the noise of the running water can be frightening. Maybe just fill the tub with a few inches of water first and then help her in? Give her a few large bath sponges to squeeze (and pinch) Play soft music-speak quietly and tell her in simple sentences exactly what you are doing and going to do.Try different times of the day-she may be very co-operative at another time.Leave her open back gown on and wash around it. You also might want to refer to the "re-directing tips for Alzheimer's residents" sticky at the top of the Geritric and LTC nurse's forum...
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I'm sorry I didn't read the post carefully, I thought you were already talking about a bed bath:p. I've never bathed a pt in a tub, or an Alzheimer's pt in a shower or tub...sorry. I agree with the pp you might do better with the bed bath on her.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

This resource should be very helpful:

The Bathing Of Older Adults with Dementia

OVERVIEW: Older adults who need assistance with bathing often find the activity to be both physically and emotionally demanding, as do their caregivers. Research has identified several contributing factors, including pain; fatigue and weakness; confusion; anxiety resulting from being naked in front of strangers, being afraid of falling, and being in a noisy or unfamiliar place; and discomfort from cold or drafty bathing areas or harsh water sprays. The authors of this article make the case for the elimination of forced bathing. Research supports this change in philosophy and practice, whereby bathing is not a task to be performed but rather a human interaction. Inexpensive, practical, and evidence-based alternatives are discussed.

http://www.nursingcenter.com/prodev/ce_article.asp?tid=637597

Hope this helps! I have also found that simply smiling at the patient (besides the other things that were mentioned) really helps.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
This resource should be very helpful:

The Bathing Of Older Adults with Dementia

http://www.nursingcenter.com/prodev/ce_article.asp?tid=637597

Hope this helps! I have also found that simply smiling at the patient (besides the other things that were mentioned) really helps.

I really like this article, it really touches on the issues that are involved with bathing and offers some incite on how to allieviate the stress that patients experience when they receive assistance from health care providers.

!Chris :specs:

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Specializes in Home Health/PD.

What type of setting are you in? Home Health would be different than the Hospital or LTC facility.

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Hi all,

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips on how to bathe a resident having alzheimer's (stage 3). The resident gets aggressif (yelling, pitching,...) during bath time (mostly because she is cold even though the heat is on and I let the hot water run for a while before getting her into the bathroom.

Thank you:loveya:

Towel baths are the best thing since white bread. :D

Alzheimer's patients tend to NOT like water.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
What type of setting are you in? Home Health would be different than the Hospital or LTC facility.

I was going to ask the same question. Although I have worked in home health before and think some of those tips definitely would have helped with some of my patients.

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My Grandma had Alzheimer's and we cared for at home and it would always help if we gave her a baby doll to hold while we bathed her--even though she could no longer communicate verbal it seemed she was still very "motherly"--i don't know if it just put the attention somewhere else or if she really thought it was a baby and didn't want to upset it. Hope this helps!Good Luck:D

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What type of setting are you in? Home Health would be different than the Hospital or LTC facility.

It's a long term care facility.

thank you al for your help

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