Many seniors with physical or mental health issues find dressing themselves and managing daily grooming tasks can become difficult over time. Therefore, one of the main duties for family caregivers is to assist their senior loved ones with grooming and dressing each day. This helps seniors feel confident and taken care of, and it also prevents infections and other hygiene issues. Follow these tips to help your loved one with his or her daily dressing and grooming needs.
Organize the Closet
A lot of seniors want to maintain their independence by continuing to pick out their clothes. However, a closet stuffed with clothes for all seasons and styles can leave seniors feeling overwhelmed. Try to remove all of your loved one’s clothes that are out of season, no longer fit, or are no longer wearable. Organize the closet by type of clothing to make it easier to find exactly what’s needed.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Jefferson County Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Give Clear Directions
While helping your loved one, avoid confusion by providing clear directions for finishing one task at a time. For example, instead of saying, “Put on this shirt,” say “Put your arms into the sleeves” and “Stand still while I button the shirt.” This may make it easier for you and your loved one to coordinate the act of getting dressed.
Be Careful When Shaving
For many seniors, shaving is an essential part of their grooming routine, but some caregivers find it difficult to shave another person. To make the job a little easier, get an electric shaver instead of trying to shave your loved one with a manual razor. Take it slowly to prevent cuts, and use a gentle shaving cream.
If you are unable to assist your loved one with grooming tasks, consider hiring a live-in caregiver. For many seniors in Jefferson County, CO, live-in care is an essential component of aging in place safely and comfortably. However, it’s important for them to have caregivers they can trust and rely on. At Home Care Assistance, we extensively screen all of our live-in and 24-hour caregivers and only hire those who have experience in the senior home care industry. Our strict requirements ensure seniors can remain in the comfort of home with a reduced risk of injury or serious illness.
Suggest a Low-Maintenance Hairstyle
Seniors who still take an interest in their appearance will want an attractive and stylish hairstyle that suits their features. However, it is important to consider regular maintenance, so your loved one should avoid having a hairstyle that requires daily curling or extensive styling. Shorter hairstyles that work with natural hair texture tend to be ideal.
Consider Convenient Clothing
As seniors age, it might be time to choose clothing specifically for its convenience. You can find clothes and shoes with Velcro and snap closures that may make it easier to dress your loved one. It will also be important to find soft shoes with anti-slip soles.
Take Care of Nails
Do not forget this important grooming step when you are taking care of your loved one. Try to cut his or her nails once a week, and gently file down rough edges. It is often best to cut nails straight across to prevent ingrown edges. Make sure to clean underneath the nails and dry them thoroughly each day to prevent infections from developing.
If assisting your loved one with tasks such as grooming and dressing has become too challenging, reach out to Home Care Assistance. Jefferson County respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed. If your elderly loved one needs high-quality in-home care, give us a call at (303) 987-5992 today.