Marriage 101 The Beacon

Bathing An Adult With Special Considerations

Article Date: June 2010 – The Beacon

Caregiving Tips by Starr Calo–oy

How To Bathe A Bed Bound Person

A bed or sponge bath might be more appropriate in certain circumstances. If he can’t sit up, is very heavy or semi–conscience, a bed bath will be much easier for you and your loved one.

If your loved one has gotten to the point of being bed bound, more than likely, he will have a home health aide who will come in 3–5 times a week and bathe him for you. If so, watch what the aide does to learn how.

Make sure not to use regular soap, as it is very hard to rinse thoroughly. Instead, use a no–rinse soap, available at most medical supply houses and pharmacies. Simply pour the directed amount into a small plastic basin filled with warm water. Use the washcloth to clean him and then dry one area at a time.

Change the bath water at least 3 times: (1) to clean his face and then upper body (2) to clean the back and genital area and (3) to clean his legs and feet.

Make sure you keep the room warm and only uncover the part of the body you are bathing.

Bath Time Close to the End of Life

When you have been told that your LO is very close (within days) to passing away and/ or is having a difficult time breathing or may be experiencing pain, you should not put him through any more discomfort than absolutely necessary. At this point, bathing is no longer necessary; neither is turning him around the clock.

You might want to use a warm cloth to wipe his face and head, but a full bed bath would only be more traumatic than beneficial to him.

When he is in what is called “the active dying process”, he will stop voiding urine and feces because he has already stopped taking in fluids and food. Diaper changes will cease. If he does urinate or have a slight bowel movement, be very gentle as you change him. If you notice that any remaining urine is turning dark red, don’t be alarmed. It’s a normal part of the dying process.

It’s not an easy feat; getting over to the other side. Make his last few hours or days on this earth as comfortable as you possibly can. For more tips, see below.

Starr & Bob Calo–oy cared for the terminally ill and people with different forms of dementia in their own home for 25 years and are the authors of 4 caregiving books. Starr hosts Caregiving 101 and Marriage 101 on Great Day Sunday on KENS–TV 5 every Sunday morning and both of the Calo–oy’s host 2, one–hour radio talk shows on KKYX–680am every Saturday morning; Caregiving 101 & Marriage 101. Starr & Bob are retired preachers make numerous appearances on television all over America and are the proud parents of 10 children. They are currently working on 3 books, give free marriage classes in their home and provide free caregiving coaching and marriage counseling. You can reach them from their websites at www. caregiversadvice.net, www.marriage101.net or call 210.521.8668.

Starr writes monthly for “The Beacon” – a San Antonio Christian Newspaper. The Beacon online at: The Beacon.