Adaptive Bathing and Hygiene

Anyone can help themselves bath, wash, and clean themselves more independently with these tips.  You may not be able to do it all yourself but the more you can do the better you will feel.

Tips:

Bathing

  •       Showers are typically easier than baths and allow for less chance of falls.
  •       If you have to take a bath then have adhesives and/or a mat on the tub floor while using some type of grab bar.

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  •       Stall showers are usually easier then tub showers to get into. Tub seats and grab bars help with either shower.

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  •           Shower hoses help extend the water to rinse all areas of your body.  You bath yourself with less whole-body movement, in sitting or standing, and decrease your chance of falling.

                                          

  • Long handled brushes and sponges help you reach all parts of your body, even if you lost the use of an arm.   

                                           

  •       Bath mitts help you wash yourself if you cannot hold liquid or solid soaps in your hands well. You can make one with a hand towel wrapped around your hand and secured with a rubber band.

                                               

  •       Wear shoe/grippy sock up until you sit on your shower seat & put it back on before walking out.

Hair

  •       You should sit when washing and fixing your hair if possible.
  •       Use long handled combs and brushes if you cannot reach to the top of your head. 

                                                                   

  •       Wider handled combs/brushes will be easier to hold if you have a weak grip.
  •       Use a stand or wall attachment to hold your hair dryer.

Makeup

  •       Use large diameter makeup containers (i.e. lip stick, eye liner) to help with a weak grasp.
  •       Put rubber bands and/or tubing around makeup caps to make them easier to open.

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  •       Use long handled makeup tools and/or extension holders to reach your face if you have limited range of motion.

Teeth

  • Use extension holders for toothbrushes if you limited range of motion.

                                                                     Toothbrushes

  •       Place a larger grip around the toothbrush if your grip is weak.

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  •       Attach some type of cuff if you are unable to grip the toothbrush.
  •       Use an electric toothbrush to decrease hand fatigue and improve effectiveness.
  •       Floss holders & picks can be adapted with longer/larger handles for grip & motion weaknesses.
  •       Power water flossers can help if you only have the use of one hand and/or limited dexterity.