Personal HygieneIntroduction: Show Personal hygiene is one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves and others from illness. Hygiene doesn’t just keep a person clean – hygiene helps the skin fight infection, hygiene prevents injuries, hygiene removes substances from the skin that might promote the growth of bacteria and hygiene keeps a person’s mouth and gums healthy. Good personal hygiene makes a person feel more comfortable and relaxed, while boosting their spirits. A person who is clean and well-groomed is pleasant to be around. While most older adults and people with mental illness or mental retardation are capable of taking care of their own personal hygiene needs, many need help. The type of help and the amount of help that is needed will be identified through an assessment. In providing assistance, from the beginning, it is important to communicate to residents two important things:
Maintaining personal hygiene enhances an individual’s physical and emotional well-being. Yet, when it comes to a person becoming dependent on you to keep their skin, nails, hair and mouth clean, he/she can experience a deep loss of independence and self-esteem. With this in mind, remember that self-care is always the goal. Although it may take longer for a resident to do a particular task, it is best for the resident to do as much as they can for him/herself. For example, someone who is paralyzed from the waist down and still has movement of their arms, can brush their teeth and wash their face. This keeps the resident from becoming completely dependent and losing self-help abilities. It also helps the resident to feel capable and it is good exercise. The way in which you assist with personal care and hygiene ties to feelings of self-esteem and can reinforce the feeling of being valued. Does the resident prefer to take a shower or bath at night or in the morning? Many adults have been doing personal care routines for many years and these rituals have become engrained in daily schedules. Also keep in mind that personal hygiene habits can vary from culture to culture. When you attempt to understand and respect cultural differences related to personal hygiene, you convey respect for the individual. This will help build a positive relationship between you and the resident. Providing the option to continue with personal choices and routines will certainly help the resident feel comfortable and in control.
Bathing can be an enjoyable and refreshing experience. A bath can be therapeutic by improving blood flow, easing discomfort and helping the resident to relax. Always listen, consider and try to accommodate the wants and wishes of the resident’s bathing routine. The following is a list of ways in which you may assist a resident with a shower or tub bath, depending on his/her level of independence in bathing:
If a resident is unable to enter a tub or shower, but still wants to personally care for his/her hygiene, a good alternative is to provide a washbowl or assist them in using the sink. Providing this alternative allows the person to move at their own pace while giving them the independence of caring for him/herself. Offer the resident the option of standing or sitting on a stool or chair.
An individual’s appearance makes a statement about how they feel about him/herself. Encourage the resident to care for his/her hair so that they can present a neat and attractive appearance. Washing, drying and styling a resident’s hair can take 30-60 minutes. Consider scheduling a shampoo on a non-bath day to conserve the resident’s energy. Hair should be combed or brushed every day to stimulate scalp circulation and distribute natural oils to the ends of the hair shafts. A daily washing is not necessary, but hair should be washed on a regular basis, at least once a week, with a mild, non-irritating shampoo. Include the resident in the planning of this routine. Be sure to check the individual’s hair and scalp before each shampooing to determine if any changes are needed in things like the type of shampoo.
Skin changes with age. But the fundamentals of keeping aging skin clean and healthy aren't very different from those of caring for young skin. Normal skin changes in aging include:
Hand care: The nails of an older adult tend to be ridged, grooved, thick and brittle. They grow at about half the rate than those of younger adults. Weekly attention to an older adult’s hands keeps nails attractive and in good condition. This should include:
Oral hygiene: Good mouth care is valuable to the health and well-being of everyone, but it is especially important to the health and well-being of the elderly and persons with mental illness or mental retardation. As a person ages, soft tissues of the teeth tend to harden. Pain perception is reduced so it is more difficult to detect painful toothaches. Gum tissue recedes from around the teeth and oral membranes become pale and dry. Aside from dental problems, older adults are more prone to problems with the gums, salivary glands, lips, muscles and jawbones. Tobacco smoke, food pigments and saliva salts cause discoloration of teeth that cannot be removed by surface cleaning. Be aware that the amount of saliva (which cleans teeth) decreases with age, leaving the mouth more vulnerable to tooth decay and infection. Pair that with the inability to brush and floss, and the risk soars. Good oral hygiene prevents sores and bad breath and keeps mucous membranes from becoming dry and cracked. Poor oral hygiene can contribute to poor appetite, leading to weight loss and malnutrition. Poor oral hygiene is also associated with the development of pneumonia in older adults. It is extremely important that you encourage residents to brush their teeth daily, especially at bedtime. Regular brushing and flossing can prevent decay and mouth disease, improve blood flow and enhance appetite. Additionally, the individual will look and feel better. Dentures also need regular care to ensure a healthy mouth and should be checked regularly for proper fit. Dentures should be cleaned at least once a day to prevent staining, bad breath and gum irritation. If you assist a resident with oral hygiene, examine the mouth on a regular basis for signs of redness, swelling or bleeding. A dentist should check any red or white spots or sores that bleed and do not go away within two weeks. Regular teeth brushing will also prevent bad breath making it more pleasant for friends, family and other people to be around the resident. ©2006 - Can good personal hygiene can help to develop positive selfGood hygiene helps people to feel better about themselves, giving them a more positive sense of self. As a result of a positive and healthy self-image, kids gain the ability to focus more on things like building strong relationships with peers.
What role do you think personal hygiene plays especially in your selfMaintaining good hygiene also helps you have better self-esteem. In other words, when you take care of how you look, you feel better about yourself. When you don't take care of your personal hygiene, it can also make you feel less confident and unmotivated.
How does personal hygiene and grooming affect the person's self image and selfFeelings of low self-esteem may lead us to make inadequate choices regarding clothing and personal grooming. Sloppy or careless hygiene reinforces a message to our own subconscious minds that we are not worth the time or effort to groom and care for our bodies.
How does personal hygiene and grooming help in building self confidence?Good personal hygiene can help to develop positive self-esteem. Personal hygiene is a necessity. Because of the daily routine, we sometimes forget to do basic things, or just ignore them. Proper personal hygiene is first and foremost taking care of yourself.
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