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 a senior 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 senior loved ones 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 Assisting Hands Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality in-home 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’re unable to assist your loved one with grooming tasks, consider hiring a live-in caregiver. For many seniors in Orlando, FL, 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 Assisting Hands Home Care, we extensively screen all of our 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 attractive and stylish hairstyles that suit their features. However, it’s 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
Don’t forget this important grooming step when taking care of your loved one. Try to cut your loved one’s nails once a week, and gently file down rough edges. It’s 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, consider hiring a professional caregiver to help. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading Orlando home care service agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks. Whether your parent needs minor help with daily tasks or extensive 24-hour care, give us a call today.
