Why Your Senior Parent Refuses to Bathe
Personal Care at Home in Newark
Many seniors grow reluctant to shower as they become older. The causes behind this might differ widely from person to person. Though sickness and disease are often at fault, others may suffer from shame or sadness. Not all seniors have an easy time getting in and out of the bathtub, and do not want their adult children's help.
You need to figure out what is most comfortable for your senior and use that solution. Sometimes personal care at home is the right choice for seniors, because they help your loved one when necessary, without your senior feeling like they've lost their independence. When it comes to showering, personal care at home may discover why a senior does not wish to bathe anymore.
They Now Have Weaker Senses
The senses of sight and smell weaken with aging. Body odors and stains may be clear to you, but your loved one may not notice even the most offensive odor. This is particularly true for their own odor, as individuals become "nose blind" to smells after just a few minutes of exposure. You must kindly remind them to shower once a day or a few times a week. It is easy to be mean about body odor, but you mustn't be mean about this situation.
Seniors Can Have Depression, Which Impacts Their Routine
Basic chores might seem hard in the face of depression, and although personal cleanliness is crucial, persons who are depressed frequently lack the motivation to accomplish something as simple as brushing their teeth. If you find a senior reluctant to bathe, it's best to rule out depression immediately. Look for these other typical warning signals and consider taking them to their doctor.
They May Be Afraid or Find it Painful
The bathroom may be frightening for many elders, particularly during bath time. Wet, slippery surfaces are a formula for catastrophe, and each bath or shower provides another chance to slip and fall (perhaps breaking a hip or worse). Furthermore, the bath itself might be painful for the elderly. Many seniors grow chilly quickly, and joint discomfort might make finding a comfortable sitting posture challenging. These difficulties are often exacerbated in dementia sufferers. Your loved one may get terrified or hallucinate because they do not understand why water is flowing on them. They often misinterpret your intentions and believe you want to harm them.
Seniors Fear a Lack of Control
People lose control over their life as they become older. Lost talents range from driving a vehicle to doing something as basic as opening a jar on their own. Elders generally hold to their own cleanliness the most, and it might be hard to give it up. Many people perceive it as the last step towards death, and resist it as long as possible.
When you take the time to figure out why a senior is no longer bathing, you can come up with solutions. They may need someone like personal care at home to guide them through each step, or just to help get dressed at the end. When you understand your senior, you can effectively find solutions.