Personal Hygiene

Per boyal hygiene (NHS) The person you negociate for may be physically or mentally unable to maintain their own personal hygiene. Keeping clean is essential for good health. Poor hygiene can ca go for skin complaints, dour smells and bacterial or parasitic contagions. General hygiene The day-to-day personal hygiene of the person you care for is very classic, so grow sure their r each(prenominal) are washed after theyve used the toilet their genitals and anal area are washed every day their face is washed daily theyre fully bathed or showered at least twice a week their teeth are brushed twice a day, selectably after each meal. It is also important that they have regular dental checks. Find out more about dental treatment for people with special needs. Washing and cleanse For most people, washing is a very private activity. When helping someone to wash or bathe, be sensitive and help maintain their dignity. Youll both in all probabilityfeel awkward and embarrassed, especi ally at first. To make bathing as pleasant and comfortable as possible use pleasant-smelling shampoo, bubble bath or soap play music that the person you care for likes and is familiar with if the person is confused, explain whats happening as you go along be sensitive to the sensory system of the person Carers tip from Netbuddy If you are caring for someone who wont wash, take up involved with activities that are followed by showers, for example, swimming. It may help if they see other people showering. My son only started using the shower and wetting his head because he saw it in a film he was watching. Personal preference and aflame stateBe aware ofthe emotional state of the person you care for when helping them wash. For example, some people can be anxiousabout deep bath water. Adaptations, such as seats or recliners,can help with anxiety. Reassure the person that you wont let them be hurt. Overhead showers can be shake to some people. If you have no bath or there is a go od reason for using a shower rather than a bath,use a hand-held shower unit. Ask the person how they would prefer to be helped and allow them as much independence as you think is safe.If they had a operation before you began caring for them, find out what it was and stick to it asmuch asyou can. Find out which shampoo, shower gel or soap they prefer to make the experience more familiar to them. Many people become self-conscious when undressed in front of others. Be sensitive to the situation and near it in the way you think ismost appropriate. The person you care for may feel isolated if you leave them alone. How you handle this depends on your relationship with them. Have garments and towels with you so you dont have to leave them alone in the bathroom if they dont want you to.Safety If the person youre looking after has limited mobility or hasproblems balancing, make sure that the floor is not slippery (dry it if necessary), the room is a comfortable temperature, the water i s comfortably warm (older peopleparticularly feel the cold, so yieldthis in mind when adjusting thetemperature), the locks are removed from the door (the person you care for may want privacy, but in an emergency you will needto get into the bathroom), and you look out for your own safety, for example by makingsure you can manageif you have to lift the person in and out of the bath.Toileting Toileting is an important part of personal hygiene, regardless of whether the person youre looking after is continent (able to surmount their bladder and bowels) or not. Incontinence can create feelings of shame or embarrassment for both thecarer and the person being cared for. Sometimes, they may be indenial about their incontinenceor refuse to accept help. Reassure them that its not their fault and approach the issue in a calm, reassuring way if theyre in denial. Bed baths If the person you care for cannot move or has highly limited mobility, you may have to give them a bed bath.You will ne ed to be extra careful, for your own safety,when moving or lifting them. Specialist available baths are available ifthey need a proper immersive bath (to be put fully in the water). Getting help If youre finding it difficult to discern with toileting, washing or general hygiene,contact your local authority or a local carers organisation (see Services near you, above right). Cleanliness and infection catch 12. (1) The registered person must, so far as reasonably practicable, ensure that (a) service users (b) persons employed for the purpose of the carrying on of the regulated activity and c) others who may be at risk of exposure to a health care associated infection arising from the carrying on of the regulated activity, are protected against identifiable risks of acquiring such an infection by the means specified in paragraph (2). (2) The means referred to in paragraph (1) are (a) the effective operation of systems designed to assess the risk of and to prevent, detect and control the spread of a health care associated infection (b) where applicable, the provision of appropriate treatment for those who are affected by a health care associated infection and c) the maintenance of appropriate standards of cleanliness and hygiene in relation to (i) premises occupied for the purpose of carrying on the regulated activity, (ii) equipment and reusable medical devices used for the purpose of carrying on the regulated activity, and (iii) materials to be used in the treatment of service users where such materials are at risk of being contaminated with a health care associated infection. Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010