Healthy Hygiene

• Bathe your loved one regularly. A bath refreshes and helps increase circulation.
• Determine how often a bath is needed. If your loved one is incontinent or perspires heavily, a daily bath may be necessary. If not, bathing two or three times a week may be enough. Consider using a portable bathing option, such as Comfort Bath^®, between traditional showers or baths.
• Plan bathing during the time of day that you and your loved one both have the most energy.
• Encourage your loved one to participate as much as possible in bathing. Active participation can help preserve independence, and joint movement can increase flexibility and decrease muscle soreness.
• Use bathing as a time for body checkup. Look for rashes, bed sores, moles or other skin abnormalities. If any are noted, contact a healthcare professional.
• If your loved one lacks mobility or is too heavy for you to lift, traditional bathing may not be possible. Consider using a portable, rinse-free bathing option, such as Comfort Bath, that fully cleans and moisturizes without requiring water or the potential danger of getting into a tub or shower.
• Pat extra attention to skin if your loved one is incontinent. Overexposure to body wastes can cause skin breakdown. Consider using a cleansing product containing a barrier cream, such as Comfort Shield^®.
• Pay special attention to keeping hair and scalp clean. This can be a great morale booster. Use products such as the rinse-free Comfort Shampoo Cap^® to eliminate the time and strain of bathing to wash hair.

• The most common areas for pressure sores are the bony areas-tailbone, hips, heels and elbows.
• Check the skin daily for sores, rashes and signs of skin breakdown. Bath time is ideal for checking the skin.
• Keep skin dry and clean. Avoid washing with very hot water or deodorant soaps. After bathing, pat dry and immediately moisturize. Consider using Comfort Bath pre-moistened washcloths to fully clean and moisturize skin in one step.
• Minimize pressure to the buttocks, hips, elbows, heels, knees and ankles. For example, place pillows between the knees, use elbow and heel protectors, use foam or water-filled mattresses to cushion the body.
• Turn a bedridden person at least every two hours, alternating positions.
• Leave skin open to air when possible.
• Use flannel or 100% cotton sheets to absorb moisture.
• Make sure sheets/underpads are flat under skin contact areas.
• Change damp, wet or soiled sheets/clothing immediately.
• Provide proper nutrition, including vitamin C, zinc, protein and plenty of water (unless contraindicated).
• When a person is sitting, encourage changing the body position every 15 minutes. Rotate the type of chair. Use a foam pad on chair seats to cushion the buttocks.
• Keep clothing loose.
• Provide as much opportunity for exercise as possible. Circulation is critical to healthy skin.

• Carefully look at your loved one's mouth every day. If he or she wears dentures, remove them to do the examination.
• Use a mirror and flashlight to see all parts of the mouth-lips, gums, teeth, all sides of the tongue and top of the mouth.
• Tissues of the mouth should be pink, moist and smooth without any breaks or cracks.
• Saliva should be thin and watery.
• Report any unusual findings such as sores, lesions, bleeding, to a healthcare professional.
• Seek regular dental care for your loved one.

• Brush teeth within 30 minutes after eating and again at bedtime.
• Remove dentures and brush as instructed. Do not leave dentures in overnight.
• Floss teeth and rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent drying.
• For a sore mouth, use a Toothette^® Oral Swab and an alcohol-free mouthwash such as Perox-A-Mint^® to clean and stimulate the entire oral cavity. Toothette^® Mouth Moisturizer can be used to keep the mouth hydrated.

• Avoid serving hot, coarse, salty or spicy foods that may irritate a sore mouth.
• Food that requires chewing promotes circulation of blood to the gums.
• Provide at least three quarts of fluid a day for drinking, unless your loved one is fluid-restricted.