How to bathe a bedridden patient at home

Bedridden patients require constant and high-quality care. How advise Home Care in Bronx NYC in order to improve the general condition of a person, prevent the occurrence of bedsores and the development of inflammatory processes, it is important to wash the patient regularly. The whole body should be washed once a week, legs - every day, genitals - in the morning and evening. If the patient suffers from fecal or urinary incontinence, he is washed after each bowel movement.

Step-by-step instructions for washing patients

Bathing the patient is done in stages - from taking a bath to washing the head, cutting the nails and caring for the teeth. Depending on the capabilities of the relatives, the procedure is performed independently or with the help of a nurse.

1. Taking a bath

Before bathing, you should close the windows and, if necessary, turn on the heater to maintain the optimal air temperature. To take a bath in bed, you should prepare:

• mild soap that does not irritate or dry out the skin;
• sponges, washcloths;
• a basin or bucket of warm water;
• towels;
• oilcloth or polyethylene film;
• cotton swabs;
• moisturizing cream;
• clean clothes and bed linen.

The procedure begins with placing oilcloth and towels under the patient so as not to wet the bed. Next, use a sponge or a small damp towel to gently wipe the face. Do not apply soap to the face, as it can cause irritation.

Then they move on to the upper part of the body. To do this, they throw back the blanket to the waist, leaving the rest of the body covered. With another sponge, they wash the arms and the torso from the front, after which they roll the patient onto his stomach and wash the back and buttocks.

Be sure to wash the fatty folds, then move on to the genitals. If you wash a man, you need to make sure that the area around the testicles is thoroughly cleaned. When bathing, women wash their intimate areas from front to back, that is, first wash the pubis, and lastly clean the anus.

At the final stage, the feet are washed. They can be dipped in a basin and gently washed with a sponge or towel. After the procedure, dry areas of the skin are treated with a moisturizer. If necessary, talc or baby powder can be used. Then the patient is changed into clean linen, the bed linen is changed.

When bathing, it is important to ensure that the water is warm, but not higher than +46 °C. A water thermometer is used for measurement. If you do not have one, you can measure the temperature manually. To do this, lower your elbow into a basin of water - when immersed, your hand should feel a pleasant and comfortable warmth.

2. Washing your hair

Hair can be washed during a bath or separately. In between procedures, use dry shampoo, which reduces the oiliness of the hair and prevents it from getting tangled. To perform a quality head wash, follow the instructions below:

1. Roll the mattress under your head so that it takes the shape of a bolster.
2. Cover the mattress and the bed underneath with cellophane or oilcloth.
3. Place the patient on his back and comb his hair thoroughly so that it does not get tangled during washing.
4. Insert cotton balls into your ears to prevent water from getting in.
5. Divide your hair into sections, use a spray bottle with warm water and wet them.
6. Apply a small amount of shampoo, massage it into the scalp and run it through the hair to the ends.
7. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly and dry your hair with a towel. You can also use a spray bottle to rinse.
8. Finally, blow dry and comb.

You can simplify the washing process by using an inflatable bath, which is placed under the head and helps avoid splashing water.

3. Trimming nails

If the nails are too long or jagged, this poses a danger to the patient. He may accidentally get hurt, which will lead to infection and the development of an inflammatory process. Bacteria and dirt are often hidden under the nails, which can move to the skin and penetrate into wounds. To trim the nails, you can use regular nail clippers. Carefully remove the excess, then use a file and give the nails a rounded shape.

4. Change of bed linen

If a person is not bedridden, bed linen is changed weekly. Bedridden patients require more frequent changes, as sheets and pillowcases constantly accumulate sweat, hair, food debris, and dead skin particles. Bed linen should be changed as it gets dirty. In cases where the patient is completely immobile, at least two people should be called to help when changing the linen.

5. Brushing teeth

Regular tooth brushing is the key to oral health. The procedure is carried out after each meal, trying to use pastes without abrasives. Twice a day, flossing should be done to remove stuck food particles. If the patient retains partial mobility, he can brush his teeth on his own. Just provide him with the necessary accessories and supervise the process.

Before hygiene procedures, it is recommended to wet clean the room. A large amount of dust can cause discomfort, breathing difficulties, and food remains attract insects, so the room is cleaned regularly. Try to ensure that the room is light, ventilate it if possible so that the air remains fresh and clean.

Basic recommendations

To ensure that bathing is done correctly and does not cause any particular difficulties, it is worth following the following recommendations:

• Washing is always done from "clean" to "dirty". First, wash your face and body, and only then move on to intimate hygiene and legs. If the washcloth was used for "dirty" areas, it should not be used for cleaner areas.
• It is important to prevent the spread of infection. Before starting the procedure, be sure to wash your hands. Dirty bedding and underwear should not be thrown on the floor - for temporary storage, use a plastic basket or bag.
• When washing, it is necessary to respect the patient's dignity. Do not uncover it without urgent need or wash in the presence of strangers. During the bathing process, the door to the patient's room should be closed.
• Not all patients are able to turn over on their own. If a person is completely paralyzed, two assistants should be invited to wash their lower part.
• Some parts of the body require special attention. It is advisable to thoroughly wash the navel area, armpits, and folds, as this is where diaper rash most often occurs.