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elderly woman brushes hair

Each stage of life presents new challenges when it comes to hygiene and grooming. Keeping yourself clean and fresh is important at any age, but later in life, its even more important to stay on top of your personal hygiene because it can affect your physical and mental health. Physically, without proper cleansing, the accumulation of dirt, oils, and bacteria on the skin can lead to infections. While mentally, a lack of hygiene and grooming can lead to isolation, loneliness, and just not feeling good about oneself.

Follow our 5 senior hygiene rules to help you keep feeling your best as you age.

Rule #1: Stick to a routine

It can be easy to forget to bathe or wash your hair, or groom your nails, or anything else related to personal hygiene. Committing to the times and days when you want to take care of your needs, will make your personal hygiene easier to manage.

Rule #2: Change your expectations for senior hygiene

Most senior adults only need to bathe a few times a week. Why? As we age, the composition of our skin changes and frequent, daily bathing can make us dry and irritated.

But if you love your daily shower, don’t worry! Feel free to shower daily as long as it is comfortable and you can adequately moisturize your entire body. Aging skin can also benefit from moisturizers containing antioxidants and vitamins C and E. This step may take longer, but it is critical if you want to maintain your daily showers and the health of your skin.

Rule #3: Don’t forget your teeth!

No matter what type of teeth you have, brushing them on a daily basis is a key component for oral hygiene. Every day, deposits of bacteria build up on the surface of teeth. If the growth of this bacteria is not interrupted every day, it begins to destroy the outer layer of your teeth, which is the beginning of tooth decay. 

Many assume that since they no longer have real teeth, they can skimp on oral hygiene. Sadly, maintaining the hygiene of your dentures is just as important as it is for natural teeth. Plaque and bacteria can quickly build up on dentures, so make sure you continue to brush your dentures as well as store them in a cleaning solution specifically designed for dentures.

Rule #4: Get the tools you need

There are many products on the market that aid seniors in caring for their personal hygiene and grooming needs. Prepping your bathroom with some of these can help you take care of your personal hygiene on your own with greater ease, or assist others in helping you care for your personal hygiene more comfortably.

Product Examples:

Depends/Adult Diapers Shower Brushes
Easy Grip Nail Clippers No-Rinse Wipes
Denture Adhesive No-Rinse Shampoo Caps
Long-Handled Shower Brushes Incontinence Rash Spray
Bath/Shower Chair Long reach wiper

Rule #5: Get help!

After a lifetime of taking care of yourself and others, it may feel strange asking for help with something as personal as self-grooming, but getting help can make the difference between feeling your best and giving up on living and aging the way you’ve always wanted to. Family members can provide a great level of support, but when they have careers and families, it can be hard to rely on them solely for support. In addition, not all family members are cut out to be caregivers. Hiring professional support, like a home health aide, can make sure your senior hygiene needs are taken care of.

5.2: What if I think I need help, but I’m afraid/nervous?

Needing help for something as personal as showering can be scary new territory. Instead of asking for help, some seniors simply stop bathing. Don’t be afraid to trust a professional. Try asking for a caregiver of the same sex and make sure you remain covered with a robe and towel as long as possible.


About Prescott HealthCare, LLC

Prescott HealthCare is a family owned and operated private home care provider dedicated to giving your loved one safe, personalized care right in the comfort of home.

Our certified aides help people with daily activities like:

Dressing and grooming Bathing and hygiene
Incontinence care Medication reminders
Meal preparation and serving Companionship
Errands Escorting clients to appointments

If you are interested in learning more about how we can help you at home, contact us anytime at: 404-883-3302.

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