Proper personal hygiene is important for all. Along with promoting good health, adequate personal hygiene boosts an individual’s mental well-being and overall quality of life. However, as we age, carrying out even elemental day-to-day tasks may become difficult, let alone having a proper regime for your personal hygiene. Often deteriorating cognitive health, sensory impairments, and declining general health in many elderlies prevent them from taking proper care of personal hygiene on their own. In many scenarios, lack of personal hygiene may even affect self-worth and self-esteem which, in turn, may have an adverse affect on their general wellbeing.
The importance of good hygiene must not be overlooked, especially when you have elderly family members at home. Maintaining good personal hygiene for the elderly is important and to help you out with it, here are 4 most important personal hygiene practices: -
1. Bathing
People with older adults in their families must understand the importance of personal cleanliness. Showering or taking bath daily is important. However, regular bathing is not necessary for most seniors. Using washcloths soaked in warm water to clean arms, armpits, genitals, legs, feet, etc. may help in maintaining personal and intimate hygiene. Proper showering and bathing can be done once or twice a week, or as directed by the geriatrician. And, it is important to make proper arrangements before preparing a bath for the elderly like checking the water temperature, making use of the right kind of soaps and shampoo (prescribed by the general physician or geriatrician), being mindful while scrubbing as an elderly’s skin can be fragile and may tear or bruise easily. Also, use a good moisturiser afterwards. Here, one can consider taking professional help such as hiring a professional caregiver for elderly members of their family.
2. Oral Hygiene
Elderlies are often prone to oral and dental problems such as gum diseases, tooth loss, bad breath, root decay, etc. and proper oral care is an important part of a personal hygiene routine. Daily brushing and flossing, being punctual about dental appointments, taking proper care of dentures, etc. can ensure good oral health in older adults. Here, adhering to a routine is important.
3. Grooming and Dressing up
Grooming and dressing up in clean and presentable clothes is another important part of personal hygiene. Importance of personal cleanliness and looking good go hand in hand when you are dressing up elderlies. Make sure you always go for clean undergarments. And when choosing the clothes for elderly people, you must ask for their choices as well. It will give a sense of self-esteem and confidence to them. The clothes that you choose must be clean and comfortable. Apart from clothes, elderly people must get timely haircuts and hairstyling done. The whole idea is to make them feel good about themselves and nothing brings more joy than wearing good clothes and looking smart.
4. Chronic Wounds and Ulcers
Some elderly people may suffer chronic wounds such as venous ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, etc. and as we age, healing takes longer. In such circumstances, taking regular care of these wounds and injuries becomes a crucial part of the personal hygiene routine for the elderly. However, dressing wounds at home may not be as simple as the other personal hygiene care routine for the elderly. Hiring professional caregivers will allow you to take adequate care of a chronic wound. These professionals are trained in cleaning and dressing chronic wounds and ulcers.
Dismissing the importance of good hygiene is not an option for the elderly as it directly impacts their overall health andss well-being. Here, we are listing the importance of personal hygiene in points, so that you can understand how essential it is to have a personal hygiene routine in place.
1. It brings about a positive change in the entire routine of the elderly and the rest of the family members as well. Maintaining a personal hygiene routine is all about giving them something to look forward to each day. Simple activities such as bathing, brushing, and dressing up can make them feel positive about themselves.
2. Personal hygiene is directly related to good health. Maintaining cleanliness can prevent many skin diseases and health issues in the elderly.
3. A proper personal hygiene routine can do wonders for their self-worth and self-esteem. Being clean and looking presentable can bring confidence and positivity to anyone.
We often do not realise the importance of hygiene in our daily life. Let’s make a conscious effort on this front. If there is any assistance that you need in terms of elder care services, we, at Emoha, are there for you. Always keeping #EldersFirst
