When aging adults take care of themselves, some things can be difficult to deal with, like keeping their personal hygiene in check. However, there are some things that older adults can do to help them keep their personal hygiene in check, no matter what challenges they’re dealing with on the inside or outside of their bodies. Here are some tips to help adults keep their hygiene in check in their golden years, no matter what challenges they’re facing.
Establish a Routine
When starting, it’s important to establish a routine. What time are you going to brush your teeth in the morning? How about after every meal? Some experts recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, but even if that feels like overkill for your mouth, try establishing a routine at least until you get used to it. Once you establish a good pattern for yourself, it will be easier to stick with as well.
Implement Safety Measures
Falls are one of the biggest risks for aging loved ones, especially in regards to their personal hygiene. Installing new handrails and a shower seat is important. Make sure your loved one isn’t taking long showers, which will increase their chances of falling. Also, moving from a bathtub to a walk-in shower would be beneficial as it will help reduce slips and falls.
Also, be sure to store any medications your loved one may need close by so he or she does not have to risk a fall to obtain them. A bathroom is also good for these products due to its humidity and relatively even temperature. You can help keep your loved one’s hygiene up by taking on these tasks and ensuring that they always have access to their hygiene products no matter where they are in their home.
Create a Relaxing Atmosphere
Nothing is more critical than creating a relaxing atmosphere in your home. If you are looking for ways to keep aging adults’ personal hygiene, one of them is to create a welcoming and comfortable environment. You can create such an atmosphere by adding elements like soft lighting, scented candles, and pleasant aromas. This will help your aging loved ones relax in their own home.
Protect the Person’s Modesty
Encourage your loved one to practice a full change of clothes (including underwear) every day, and whenever possible, provide them with privacy. The more you can do to protect their modesty and avoid embarrassment, especially regarding personal grooming habits, the better. Besides supporting their self-esteem, helping aging loved ones keep their personal hygiene is also vital for promoting their overall health and wellbeing.
Invest in Hygiene Aids
You can help your loved one keep up a good level of personal hygiene by getting them products that make things a little easier for them. A shower seat, for example, can provide an extra layer of safety, helping to prevent falls and minimize any damage from accidental slips and drops. Keeping your shower fully stocked with loofahs and other items that promote cleanliness is also important.
Follow Up with Moisturizer
When applying facial moisturizer, it’s easy to miss some spots and forget about them for a few minutes. It’s also easy to lose focus if you do multiple tasks at once, like talking on the phone or looking through your closet for clothes. Either way, if you need to apply moisturizer over an area that you missed, always reapply it within 15 minutes after the first application to prevent moisture loss between applications.
Focus on Dental Care
Did you know that poor dental hygiene is linked to heart disease? If you have an aging loved one, they must focus on dental care. It’s a small change that can help them lead healthier lives as they age. Be sure to schedule regular checkups at your dentist’s office and watch out for warning signs of developing gum disease—these can include redness and sensitivity in or around gums.
