As you get older, it naturally starts to get a little harder to carry out our typical daily tasks and we may find that we need help and support from friends, family and healthcare professionals to carry out routine chores like grocery shopping, hoovering, cooking… and, of course, personal care.
Focusing on personal hygiene is one of those autopilot tasks that we’re well used to performing day in, day out – but as we get older, our ability to wash, shave and take care of our skin gets harder as our physical needs start to change.
We may find that we’re less flexible than we used to be, less able to balance, get tired quickly or are just physically weaker in general, all of which can affect how well we’re able to practice hygiene tasks.
Dexterity issues can also have an impact on cleaning abilities, with our hands no longer able to support us in the way they once did. Opening lids, holding objects firmly and so on can become problematic as we get older, so tasks like brushing our teeth or cleaning our hearing aids can be tricky.
But it’s essential that personal hygiene levels are maintained to prevent the spread of germs and infectious diseases, minimise skin conditions and prevent dental issues, as well as helping us to feel good just generally.
As well as helping to keep illnesses and diseases at bay, personal hygiene and grooming has a positive impact on your mental and emotional health and wellbeing, supporting good quality of life.
What personal hygiene tasks should be prioritised?
Hygiene and self-care requirements will differ from person to person, but some of the most essential routine tasks that they’ll need to prioritise include showering and bathing, brushing and flossing teeth and gums, hair care (brushing, shaving and styling as appropriate) and finger and toenail care.
Washing should take place daily but that doesn’t mean that you need to have a full bath or shower in order to get clean. You can achieve a high level of hygiene through the use of a wash cloth, for example, helping you to stay fresh and prevent the spread of germs.
For those of you with dry or irritated skin, moisturising should be carried out as needed throughout the day, something that you may need help with if your flexibility is compromised.
While practising self-care, it is advisable to check for signs of infections and sores, particularly if you have other health conditions like diabetes.
In order to perform certain hygiene tasks safely, you may need to make some home adaptations such as grab rails and anti-slip flooring in the bathroom.
You may also need to organise external support – which is something that the team here at Concept Care can help with. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with us today.
