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Topic last reviewed: April 2008

Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's

Personal Care

While some people with Alzheimer's don't mind bathing, for others it is a frightening, confusing experience. Advance planning can help make bath time better for both of you.

Plan the bath or shower for the time of day when the person is most calm and agreeable. Be consistent. Try to develop a routine.

Respect the fact that bathing is scary and uncomfortable for some people with Alzheimer's disease. Be gentle and respectful. Be patient and calm.

Tell the person what you are going to do, step by step, and allow him or her to do as much as possible.

Prepare in advance. Make sure you have everything you need ready and in the bathroom before beginning. Draw the bath ahead of time.

Be sensitive to the temperature. Warm up the room beforehand if necessary and keep extra towels and a robe nearby. Test the water temperature before beginning the bath or shower.

Minimize safety risks by using a hand-held showerhead, shower bench, grab bars, and non-skid bathmats. Never leave the person alone in the bath or shower.

Try a sponge bath. Bathing may not be necessary every day. A sponge bath can be effective between showers or baths.

For someone who has Alzheimer's, getting dressed presents a series of challenges: choosing what to wear, getting some clothes off and other clothes on, and struggling with buttons and zippers. Minimizing the challenges may make a difference.

Try to have the person get dressed at the same time each day so he or she will come to expect it as part of the daily routine. Encourage the person to dress himself or herself to whatever degree possible. Plan to allow extra time so there is no pressure or rush.

Allow the person to choose what he or she will wear from a limited selection of outfits. If he or she has a favorite outfit, consider buying several identical sets.

Arrange the clothes in the order they are to be put on to help the person move through the process.

Provide clear, step-by-step instructions if the person needs prompting.

Choose clothing that is comfortable, easy to get on and off, and easy to care for. Elastic waists and Velcro enclosures minimize struggles with buttons and zippers. Watch for signs of physical pain due to pinching from tight clothes or pricking from a safety pin. Sometimes the person may act out when they are in pain and can't tell you what is bothering them.

As the disease progresses, many persons with Alzheimer's begin to experience incontinence, or the inability to control their bladder and/or bowels. Incontinence can be upsetting to the person and difficult for the caregiver. Sometimes incontinence is due to physical illness, so be sure to discuss it with the person's doctor.

Have a routine for taking the person to the bathroom and stick to it as closely as possible. For example, take the person to the bathroom every 3 hours or so during the day. Don't wait for the person to ask.

Watch for signs that the person may have to go to the bathroom, such as restlessness or pulling at clothes. Respond quickly.

Be understanding when accidents occur. Stay calm and reassure the person if he or she is upset. Try to keep track of when accidents happen to help plan ways to avoid them.

To help prevent nighttime accidents, limit certain types of fluids -- such as those with caffeine -- in the evening. If you are going to be out with the person, plan ahead. Know where restrooms are located and have the person wear simple, easy-to-remove clothing. Have an extra set of clothing along in case of an accident.

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