Many of the people you will be providing support for require assistance with personal hygiene and bathing. As a support worker, it is important that you respect the rights and dignity of the person you are assisting. It is also important to allow the person as much independence and choice as possible during personal hygiene activities.
Importance of Bathing
Bathing is necessary to clean the skin, prevent skin breakdown, stimulate circulation, and encourage the exercise of body parts. When assisting, you have the opportunity to make assessments and observations about the physical and mental well-being of the client. Each person’s individual needs are described in their care plan along with the level of assistance required. This can range from total care, where you provide complete care to a person, to assisted care. It is important to follow the person’s care plan to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for them.
Types of Baths
Complete Bed Bath
With a complete bed bath, you will be washing a person’s entire body from head to toe. These are not commonly given, as most supported people receive regular showers or tub baths. A complete bed bath may be provided to a person who is weak from illness or surgery, unconscious, or paralyzed.
Partial Bed Bath
A partial bed bath, also referred to as a basic morning or bedtime bath, involves washing the face, armpits, hands, chest, back, and peri area. This may also involve hand-over-hand assistance or verbal cueing to prompt and guide the person through the steps themselves. They may prefer to do this at the sink, in the bathroom, or some may be able to sit up in their bed with the basin in front of them.
Ensuring Privacy and Safety
Privacy, the person’s safety, and your safety are crucial. To ensure the person’s privacy, close doors, windows, and drapes, and only allow the care staff directly providing care to be in the room. Uncover areas of the person only as needed for the care to keep them warm. Ensure the room temperature is satisfactory and that there are no drafts.
All safe handling policies must be followed. Apply bed brakes, raise bed rails when you leave the side of the bed, and ensure the bed is at the proper working height, between the knuckle and the hip of the caregiver. Always use routine procedures, also referred to as universal precautions, which include hand washing and the appropriate use of gloves when in contact with body fluids or mucus membranes. Check the care plan for bathing guidelines, including whether to use soap, and ensure you have all the equipment and supplies at the bedside within easy reach before you begin.
Bathing Procedure
When you are ready to wash the person, ask what temperature they prefer. Ensure the bathing water is not too hot or too cold by checking the temperature with the inside of your wrist. Position the person on their back with the bed as flat as possible, but ensure there is at least one pillow under their head.
Wash the person starting with the cleanest area of the body and ending with the least clean area. Begin with the eyes, using a towel over the person’s chest. Make a mitt or fold a washcloth and wash around the person’s eyes with water, starting at the nose and washing outwards. Do not use soap for this. Rinse the cloth and repeat with the other eye.
For more detailed guidelines on personal hygiene and care, including special considerations for peri care and handling clients with specific needs, refer to the full YouTube tutorial on Personal Care & Hygiene.
Encouraging Independence
It is important to encourage the people we are supporting to be as independent as possible. The care plan will tell you how to set the person up in order for them to participate in the care. Many people will sit up in bed with the basin in front of them or stand by the sink with a support worker standing nearby. Always give clear and concise directions to the person supported to facilitate the care. You can also put your hand over the supported person’s hand to physically assist with the task.
Conclusion
Personal care and hygiene are vital aspects of supporting individuals in maintaining their health and dignity. By following the guidelines in their care plan, respecting their privacy and safety, and encouraging their independence, you can provide effective and compassionate care.
For more information and resources on personal care and hygiene, visit Osezai Healthcare and explore our comprehensive guides and tutorials.
Additional Resource
To learn more about personal care and hygiene, check out YouTube tutorial on Personal Care & Hygiene.
By adhering to these principles and utilizing available resources, support workers can ensure that they are providing the best possible care to those in need.
