In need of help with my client with dementia

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2008

Moved to the Geriatric forum.

pielęgniarka, RN · Sep 10, 2008

I used to work as bath aide when I was a CNA. I love it when people are clean and smell good! Try taking the resident by the hand for a walk, toward the bathroom, then calmly state it's time to wash up, or shower or bathe, whichever she responds to better. Hand her some soap and a wash rag-- having choices and allowing some independence sometimes helps. Have the clothes and supplies in the wash room and all ready, water running and warm. Maybe she should be in her robe prior to the walk. It also helps to keep the residents as covered as possible during the shower or bath. Use bath towels and let them get soaked if needed. If she doesn't want to undress at all just ask if she can lean her head over to wash hair and then do a sponge bath later in the room-- A compromise might just be enough. Or have her go to a hairdresser who can wash her hair and set it and then you do a good sponge bath for her later in bed or bathroom. We had a resident in an Alzheimers unit that didn't take baths, we only washed her hair over the tub because she just went beserk in the tub room, and then we did a complete bed bath later. It was written into her careplan. We have another lady that takes an Ativan (for dx Dementia) before her bath, as all other interventions were not effective to allow staff to help her keep her clean. This helped to relax her enough to agree to get in the tub. I only recommend meds as a very last resort! Kind of a long rambling answer but I hope it helps.

Sara

Hello...I am a caregiver and i am studying for my nursing boards. I have a client that has dementia and I just need some advice regarding my patient. I really care about my patient and her health. The problem is that my patient seems to not want to take a shower...I have already told her the benefits of hygiene...and I dont want to ignore that...it really got me bummed today because she kept on refusing to take a bath and I know i should not be forced to give her a shower. I have taken her out and and i would feel embarassed about her hygiene and the fact that most importantly havent did my part in taking care of her. For me It looks bad on me because people...will look at me...and think "oh this caregiver is totally neglecting this patient. Help what should i do? .

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Sep 11, 2008

Just a few things....you CAN'T explain the benefits of something to a patient with dementia. You can tell her calmly that it's time to wash...or get some nice wipes that you can heat up in the microwave. Take your time...don't worry so much about what the other people think. Good luck.

failedtesttaker · Sep 11, 2008

Thanks for the reply i was able to give her a shower but, she refused to wash her hair.

Airidis · Jun 4, 2011

When bathing people with dementia I would take a cloth and saok it in their tub water and say let me scrub your face and head you'll feel much better afterwords! And then once their hair was wet from my soaked cloth I' d be like drats, I didn't mean to get your hair that wet but while I'm here I can wash your hair lickety split and you'll feel like a million bucks/or help you style it how you like you'll look so handsome/pretty.

I like to sugar em up! Works for me....