Hello everyone,

Just about everyone who works with people with dementia can tell you how difficult it can sometimes be to get them to take a shower. DailyCaring.com has a helpful article with 7 tips on how to get a person with dementia to take a shower. Click here to read the full article. Below are the highlights from the piece (with a few of our own suggestions sprinkled in!):

7 tips to get someone with dementia to take a shower:

1.       Establish a daily routine—this helps reduce stress and anxiety

2.       Use positive reinforcement and don’t argue—logic and reason won’t work. Avoid saying “you’re getting stinky” or “you haven’t showered in days!”; instead, talk about pleasant things you can do after the shower, like have a snack or go for a walk outside

3.       Say “we” not “you”—this gives them the feeling that you are doing this together, and they are not alone

4.       Make the bathroom warm and comfortable—you can even play soft music

5.       Use a hand-held shower head to reduce fear—it’s helpful to start at their feet so they can get used to the feel of the water

6.       Make sure there are no surprises or guesswork needed—tell them what’s going to happen next, and encourage and cue them so they can participate as much as possible

7.       Use extra towels for comfort and warmth—you may want to ask family members to bring in extra towels to use if your facility has limited quantities or aren’t as “fluffy” as those at home

You can also watch the 3-minute video we developed that uses a real life scenario and includes tips for getting a person with dementia to bathe.

Do you have any additional “tricks of the trade” that you’ve used to decrease someone’s resistance to take a shower? Share them with us and we’ll included them in a tidbit! Your experiences can help your colleagues at a time when we all can use a little extra help.

Have a great week