eva lawrenceSocial Worker and blog author It offers us a series of instructions to correctly clean the hair, mouth, nostrils, ears, eyes, hands and feet in people in a situation of dependency.Hair Wash
If the dependent person is bedridden, it can be done in two ways:
- Remove the pillow and place the person diagonally with their head on the side edge of the bed. Put a towel rolled up in the shape of a horseshoe under the neck and protect the towel and the bed with oilcloth or plastic, forming a central channel through which the water falls to a basin located on a chair or stool. There are accessories on the market to fulfill the function of channel and lateral evacuation of water towards the basin.
- Another option is to use the Roser position: place the person on their back without a pillow and move them towards the head of the bed until their head is off the mattress. Remove the headboard and place the support under the shoulders, protruding from the mattress to support the head. Put the basin on the end of the support. If this accessory does not exist, the help of another person will be necessary, who will have to keep the head with their hands, out of the bed and above the basin. This position is contraindicated in some cases, so it is necessary to consult your doctor beforehand.
In any case, it is advisable to follow these guidelines:
- Before starting the washing session, you have to prepare all the utensils and protect the bed to prevent it from getting wet.
- Place a small towel or gauze over the eyes to prevent water from entering, and pack the ears with cotton.
- Lather hair with a small amount of shampoo.
- Rinse well by pouring the water out of a jug.
- Repeat the operation if necessary.
- Massage the scalp making soft movements with the fingertips.
- Towel-dry or blow-dry on a gentle setting and style.
- Brushing the hair every day helps activate and stimulate blood flow to the scalp.
Currently, there are products for dry hair cleaning and inflatable utensils to facilitate washing.
It is recommended to watch these videos about washing the hair of the and of:
Specific care of the mouth
The mouth, being a humid cavity, is the ideal place for the growth of germs that can be harmful to the teeth and mucous membranes and increase the risk of infections.
Brushing your teeth after each meal removes food particles, bacteria, and tartar.
If the person can wash themselves, they will sit on the bed or in front of the sink, providing them with everything they need (brush, toothpaste, dental floss, water, towel…). In unconscious people, or with a high degree of dependency, it is advisable to brush the teeth with gauze soaked in antiseptic, thoroughly cleaning all corners of the oral cavity, taking special care that the liquids used do not enter the respiratory system. To do this, place the person in a safety position, with their head to one side and with a towel underneath to protect the bed. When finished, dry the lips and apply Vaseline to hydrate and prevent cracking.
It is important to respect the habits of the person you care for, but, if they are insufficient, you must teach them the guidelines to follow.
- Never brush your teeth horizontally, as this can damage your gums.
- Moisten the brush with warm water and apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush.
- Place the brush at the base of the tooth next to the gums and make a sweeping movement from the gums towards the tooth, both on the outside and inside.
- Brush the biting surfaces (upper face of the teeth), moving the brush back and forth over them, with short strokes.
- Finish by gently brushing the tongue.
- Use water to rinse your mouth and remove the remains of paste.
Watch for sores in the mouth and if the tongue is very red or has white plaques.
cleaning dentures
The dental prosthesis is cleaned when it is removed at night and under the tap with warm water, using a special brush with stiff bristles to rub the denture with the cleaning substance. And if the denture is very stained, it can be left to soak with cleaning liquid.
- The upper prosthesis is removed by grasping the front and palatal surface (the one facing the palate) with the index finger and thumb of both hands, pressing down and pulling.
- The mandibular denture is removed by placing the index finger and thumb on the front and lingual surfaces. Partials should never be removed by pulling on the wires.
- Before placing the denture, rinse the mouth and the denture well because it adheres better. Start at the top, pressing gently on both sides. Then put the bottom one.
Specific care of the nostrils
- Use moistened gauze to clean the outer area of the nose and nostrils.
- When there is a lot of mucous secretion, it is advisable to wash with physiological saline.
Specific eye care
- To wash the eyes, serum and sterile gauze will be used.
- Use a different gauze to clean each eye.
- Moisten the gauze with serum and begin to clean the tear duct. Subsequently, with another gauze, clean the upper and lower eyelids and the outer edge of the eye, dragging from the edge of the eye towards the tear duct. Separate the eyelids with your fingers, avoiding touching the conjunctiva and without pressing on the eye. Pour the serum from the tear duct and dry.
- Monitor the appearance of redness and secretions in the conjunctiva.
Specific ear care
The ears should be cleaned daily to remove their secretions but avoiding the introduction of toothpicks or cotton swabs into the ear canal, as this facilitates the formation of wax plugs and can easily damage the canal, and even perforate the eardrum.
- Wash the auditory pavilion with a cotton swab or gauze soaked in soapy water. Dry the folds well.
- If you use a hearing aid, remove it at night and clean the remains of earwax.
I recommend this video Government of Aragon which explains the hygiene of the mouth, eyes and ears:
Specific hand and foot care
- Assess the size of the nails once a week, wash daily with neutral soap, dry thoroughly, especially in the interdigital spaces, and apply moisturizing cream.
- Cut nails after bathing or leave to soften for 10-15 minutes in hot water.
- Cut your toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails. In the hands the cut will be oval.
- Take special care on the soles, nails, fingers and interdigital spaces, watching for the appearance of flaking, calluses, hardness or ingrown nails.
- If injuries appear on the feet or there are other health problems, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, consult your doctor for professional care.
About the author: eva lawrence
eva lawrence She is a Social Worker and a large part of her working life and training have revolved around caring for the elderly and people with functional diversity in a situation of dependency, who needed the help of a caregiver, this being, in most cases, of his family environment.
He also has knowledge and experience in other areas in which a social worker can carry out his work (employment guidance, women, immigration, family, minors…). Currently she is looking for a job and has decided that there is no better way to spend her time than helping others through her blog.