Tips for bed baths

If the person you are caring for is confined to bed, you may need to perform a bed bath. If possible, enlist a partner for this process, or encourage the elderly person to participate in the bath. It's a good idea to gather everything you need in advance and place them close to the bedside. Place towels or plastic sheets around the person and on the floor. If you do not have carpet, newspapers on the floor will absorb runoff and prevent you from slipping.
Tips for bed baths
1. Gather everything you need in advance (water containers, towels, light cotton blanket, flannels, liquid soap, lotion and preferred toiletries);
2. Always wash your hands before you start;
3. Try to maintain the water temperature at 120 degrees F;
4. Always test it first and replace the water as it cools or gets dirty;
5. Make sure the room is warm and there are no drafts or open windows ;
6. For privacy and warmth, use a light cotton blanket to cover the person during the bed
When washing a person in bed, start on the face and upper body area first, then each side of the body from the arm and down to the leg. Use a thin blanket to cover parts of the body until you are ready to wash them. After they have been washed and dried, you can replace the blanket for modesty. Then carefully turn the elderly person on one side so the back faces towards you. You can then wash the shoulders, back and bottom. Finally, wash the private areas, working from front to back with a fresh basin of warm water. Special wipes may be a convenient way to keep these areas clean, but they can be expensive. It's very important to dry each part of the body very carefully to prevent chills. When you have finished washing and drying an area, you can gently rub in lotion to prevent drying and soothe the skin. Always seek professional advice before you give an elderly person a bed bath in case there are any medical considerations that you should take into account.