It’s something we all wish wouldn’t happen, but unfortunately, the change is inevitable for many: As our loved ones – grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles – grow older, they lose the ability to do basic, everyday things. It’s hard for us to watch that happen to once fully capable, independent people, and it’s even harder for them to come to terms with their new reliance on others to get the simplest things done. The only option in times like this, though, is to find a solution – otherwise, no one is getting what they need. You want your family member to get the help and care he needs, without making him feel sick and/or incompetent.
In-home care agencies like Right At Home, run by Dale Anderson, understand this sensitive situation. They work to provide a healthy and happy environment for your loved one, one in which your loved one stays in the home they know and love while getting some help with everyday things. Anderson and Right At Home know that even the simplest and most personal things can prove difficult for the elderly or sick, so they offer a range of services, including personal care and assistance with hygiene.
Hygiene care is vital for the health and well-being of your loved one. It not only contributes to their happiness and comfort, but it keeps them free of bacteria, germs, and more. Right At Home understands that hygiene is just as important as giving medicine or preparing meals. Hygiene care can be provided by a CNA, or certified nursing assistant, if only hygiene care is needed, or if hygiene care is part of an entire personal care package, with companionship, household work, meal preparation, etc. However, if the needs are more medical in nature, such as if complicated medicines and procedures are involved, then hygiene will be a service included in the medical care performed by a LPN (licensed practical nurse), or RN (registered nurse). Agencies like Right At Home make sure all their employees, on all levels, are trained extensively to perform every service that might be needed within their certification – and hygienic care is within every level’s certification.
The most basic hygiene care service also requires a lot of training. It involves helping people into and out of the bath or shower. It involves helping them climb into bed. The caregiver is trained to master all levels of ability, in order to move the patient in a way that protects every bone and muscle from injury or strain.
If necessary, the caregiver can actually help one bathe and wash, especially with more strenuous processes like washing hair. They can also provide bed baths if your loved one can no longer leave bed. This leads into hair care, skin care, and dental care services. The caregiver may also need to provide assistance with toileting, and this can be as simple as transporting your loved one back and forth to the toilet, and as advanced as helping him with continence issues. This may also lead back into dietary needs and schedules.
Hygiene care is one of the most important services agencies like Right At Home offer. It is vital to help keep your loved one clean, healthy, and comfortable, whether it is all part of a more medical service, or just a service on its own.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
