As they age seniors can find it more difficult to keep up with personal grooming and personal care. It’s embarrassing for adults to admit that they are having trouble with things like showering, shaving, brushing their hair, or getting dressed. They may have a particularly hard time talking to their children about any issues that they’ve been having. As a result you might start to notice that your aging parent doesn’t seem to be as put together as they used to be when you see them. Some signs that your parent might be having trouble with personal care include things like:
Having unkempt hair
Not getting out of their pajamas when you visit
Wearing the same clothes or pajamas for multiple days
For men not shaving facial hair or not keeping up an existing beard or moustache
For women not wearing makeup if they usually wear it
Not brushing their hair
Wearing clothing that isn’t seasonally appropriate
Looking dirty or smelling like they haven’t showered
If you are seeing any signs that your parent isn’t taking care of themselves the way that they used to or if you notice that they are having trouble with tasks like gripping a hair brush or a toothbrush you should talk to your parent about having a home care provider.
Incontinence
Incontinence is common among seniors, but it’s something your parent might be very reluctant to discuss with you. A caregiver can help your parent deal with any accidents and make sure they are able to change into clean and dry clothes discreetly and take care of the laundry also.
How Home Care Can Help
A home care provider can help seniors with activities of daily living that are difficult for them like showering, getting dressed, and brushing their teeth. Often parents have a much easier time accepting help from an experienced home care provider than they do from their children. And an experienced senior care provider has the training and skill to make sure that your parent is safe while showering or washing up. Showering regularly, getting dressed each day, wearing makeup, and other personal care will help your parent feel like themselves and be more willing to see visitors, leave the house, and be more active.
Talking To Your Aging Parent About Personal Care
It’s never easy to bring up the topic of personal care with your senior parent. If you approach the topic gently and with compassion you can open a dialog that will help you alleviate your parent’s fears without embarrassment. Never approach the topic in a judgmental way that might shame your parent. Instead try to talk about personal care issues matter-of-factly and stress that it’s quite common to find it more difficult than before to keep up with personal grooming. You may want to compare having a caregiver help them with having their done at a salon or having a barber shave them so that they will see the value in getting some professional help to look and feel their best.
Author: Michael and Marlena Hawkins, Owners, Interim HealthCare, Salt Lake City, UT
Interim HealthCare of Salt Lake City has been in business since February 2014, providing in-home personal care and support services that help our elderly and/or disabled neighbors live enriched, safe and independent lives. Our goal is to provide customized care and support services that make it possible for our clients to remain in the comfort of their own homes rather than relocate to an assisted living facility. Interim HealthCare is family owned by Michael and Marlana Hawkins, and is a Veteran Owned Small Business.
