2.4. Training In Self-Care Hygiene And Wound Care

When someone is confined to bed due to their health conditions, it’s important to keep up their personal
hygiene. Feeling fresh and clean is necessary for both physical and mental health. Whether it’s caused by
chronic illness, advanced age, disability, or injury, being bedridden comes with a variety of challenges – hygiene being one of the most important. As a caregiver, assisting a bed bound older adult with their personalhygiene helps them be as happy and healthy as possible.

Bathe regularly
If a patient is unable to bathe themselves, you’ll want to give them regular bed baths.To give someone a
bed bath, first gather these items: Bath towels, facecloths, and hand towels Soft spoges, A bucket of warm
water, Gentle, non-irritating soap, A washbasin, Cotton buds or a nail brush, Moisturizer, Body powder.

Bathing process
Place bath towels underneath your older adult to keep the bed dry. Use a moist hand towel or sponge to
gently wash the eyes and face. Avoid using soap on the face because it could be irritating. Roll down the
sheet or blanket to expose their upper body. In general, try to expose only the part of the body that you’re
actively cleaning. Keep the rest of the body covered for warmth and modesty. Use another (clean) moist
towel or sponge to clean the body. You may want to use a gentle cleansing soap for the body, but be aware
that for certain people soap can cause skin irritation. Clean their upper body, arms, and legs.
Help them roll or turn as needed so you can thoroughly clean the patient’s back with a towel or sponge.
Be sure to clean within any folds and then dry those areas thoroughly.Dip the patient’s feet in a washbasin
and clean feet with a towel or sponge.Use moisturizer and body powder to keep their skin hydrated and
dry, then change them into a clean set of clothes.

Keep hair clean. How to wash hair in bed
Place towels under the head and shoulders. Comb through hair to remove tangles and drape another towel
over their shoulders. If available, you could also use a hair stylist’s cape or something similar. If your older
adult has a lot of hair, it can be easier to clip their hair into sections. Then, use a spray bottle to wet the hair
with warm water and a small amount of shampoo. Work it in from the scalp upwards to the ends of the hair.
Then, rinse the hair with a separate spray bottle of water. When all the hair is clean, wrap their head in a
dry towel. Then, use a hairdryer to gently dry their hair.

Trim nails
Long or jagged nails can present a multitude of health risks, especially in older people. Dirt and bacteria
get trapped under the nails and transfer to the skin when the patient touches or scratches themselves,
potentially resulting in infection. Regularly use a pair of nail clippers and nail file to keep nails trimmed and
filed into a smooth, rounded shape.

Change bedding
People who aren’t bedridden can usually get away with changing their bedding every week. But when
someone is bedridden, their bedding will likely need to be changed more often. You might be surprised at
how quickly bed linens can accumulate sweat, dead skin cells, hair, and crumbs from food.
Brush teeth after meals
To keep teeth and gums healthy, help your older adult clean their mouth after each meal.If possible, floss
and rinse twice a day to ensure you’re getting rid of any trapped food particles. Some people may be able
to handle these tasks on their own if you bring them a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and water.

Clean the room
A messy environment can also be a hygiene risk. Excessive dust can cause breathing difficulties, snee
zing, itching, and throat discomfort. And unfinished food can attract household pests. Lastly, clutter can
have a negative impact on someone’s mental and emotional well-being. Keep their room comfortable and
organized and remove clutter from the floor.
Do your best to get plenty of natural light into the room and regularly open the windows when possible to
keep the air fresh. By keeping your older adult and their room fresh and clean, you’re doing a lot more than
safeguarding their physical health. You’re also taking an important step in helping them feel good.

Wound Hygiene
Just as we follow basic hygiene every day by washing our hands, brushing our teeth and showering, we
should apply regular basic hygiene to wounds to keep them clean and remove biofilm. By implementing
Wound Hygiene, you can give every wound the best chance of healing.
• Basic steps for treating a superficial acute wound include the following:
• -Apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
• -Once the bleeding has stopped, gently clean the wound with mild soap.
• -Apply antibiotic ointment to the wound, such as Neosporin, Polysporin, or Bacitracin.
• -Cover the wound with a sterile bandage.

Wound Hygiene comprises 4 simple steps:
1. Cleanse
2. Debride
3. Refashion the edges
4. Dress