The bathing of older adults with dementia.
Older adults who need assistance with bathing often find the activity to be both physically and emotionally demanding, as do their caregivers. Research has identified several contributing factors, including pain; fatigue and weakness; confusion; anxiety resulting from being naked in front of strangers, being afraid of falling, and being in a noisy or unfamiliar place; and discomfort from cold or drafty bathing areas or harsh water sprays. The authors of this article make the case for the elimination of forced bathing. Research supports this change in philosophy and practice, whereby bathing is not a task to be performed but rather a human interaction. Inexpensive, practical, and evidence-based alternatives are discussed.
Rader Consulting, Silverton, OR, USA. joanne.rader@worldnet.att.net
Joanne
J
Rader
Ann Louise
AL
Barrick
Beverly
B
Hoeffer
Philip D
PD
Sloane
Darlene
D
McKenzie
Karen Amann
KA
Talerico
Johanna Uriri
JU
Glover
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001494:Baths / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009657:North Carolina; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009922:Oregon; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control