Avoid using soap that has exfoliating beads or other substances that could end up staying on the patient’s skin and causing irritation. No-rinse soaps are available at drug stores. This is a convenient solution for a quick cleanse, but they leave a residue so you’ll still need to rinse the patient’s body from time to time.
If you don’t have a special basin, you can make do by placing an extra towel or two under the patient’s head to protect the bed from getting too wet.
It’s convenient to stack towels, washcloths, water basins, and soap on a portable cart, such as a TV cart, so you can keep everything you need close to the bed.
Be sure to adjust the temperature in the room if necessary, to prevent the patient from getting a chill.
Try to keep as much of the patient covered as possible while you’re removing the clothes. Keep in mind that this process can be embarrassing for some people, so try to work quickly and with a purposeful attitude.
Remember to rotate between the two washcloths: use one for soaping and one for rinsing. If the clothes become soiled, switch to clean ones. Replace the water in the basins as necessary.
Dry the washed areas thoroughly, especially the underarm, to prevent chafing and bacteria growth. Recover with the sheet to keep the patient warm.
Dry the washed areas thoroughly, especially the underarm, to prevent chafing and bacteria growth. Recover with the sheet to keep the patient warm.
Recover the patient with the sheet to keep the patient warm.
Males should be washed behind the testicles. Wash a female’s labia, but there’s no need to clean the vagina. This part of the body should be washed every day, even when you’re not giving a full-body bed bath.
Elderly skin tends to get dry, so you may want to apply lotion to the arms and legs before putting their clothes back on. Comb the person’s hair and apply cosmetics and other body products according to the patient’s preferences.
