Personal Care for People who are Bedbound
From Spirit Lake Consulting, Inc.

How to give a bed bath

Skin Care

Positioning

HOW TO GIVE A BED BATH
A bed bath is a bath given to a patient while he or she is in bed. People limited to bed become tired and restless. Bathing is crucial. It refreshes the body and the spirit, it also provides comfort. Giving a bath in bed may sound hard but it is actually very easy once you learn a few techniques.

You need:

• A big bowl with warm water
• Soap
• Two or three towels and a wash cloth
• A light blanket to prevent chills
• Lotion
• Shaving materials if desired
  
  HOW TO GIVE A BED BATH

1. Get the items you need
2. Make sure you have privacy
3. Wash only a small part at a time.
4. Put a towel under the area being washed so you don’t get the bed wet
5. Wash the area gently with a lightly soaped washcloth, rinse and dry
6. Start in the facial area and work your way towards the feet
7. Discard the water when it gets too dirty or soapy
8. Wash the patient's back and do not forget to give a back rub. Back rubs are important because they provide comfort and many times help to decrease a patient’s discomfort.
9. Use lotion.
10. Wash the genital area from front to back. Be sure to rinse well and pat dry with a towel.
11. It is very relaxing to place the hands and feet in the bowl of warm water for washing. Remember to put a towel under the bowl in case of spills
    
    

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

• Bathing is very personal function that the patient would prefer to be doing for himself. With this in mind, you want to give the person as much privacy and dignity as possible as you meet his or her personal needs.
• The best time to give a bath is when the patient wants to.
• Supply privacy by shutting the door and drawing the shades. Promote dignity by keeping all of the body covered except for the section you are washing.
• Use the patient’s preferred skin products. If you don’t know what kind of soap, shampoo or lotion a person prefers, ask.
• The safety of you and your patient is important. Bring the bed up to your waist level to prevent back problems. Put the side rail up on the side where you are not working.
• Give the bath about an hour after the patient has taken pain medication. This will reduce the discomfort of movement. If there are medication patches on the skin, be sure not to loosen them.
  

Skin care:

• is hygenic
• helps circulation
• prevents injury
  

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

• The skin is the biggest organ on the body. It has numerous purposes.
• Any person who stays in bed for a long period of time may get irritated skin, abrasions, and perhaps even pressure sores
• The first indication of a pressure sore is a tiny reddened region on the skin
• Dampness on the skin contributes to skin breakdown
• Hygene and periodic changes of position decrease fatique and boredom
  

WHAT TO DO

• Make sure the skin remains clean and dry
• Examine the skin daily. Inspect pressure areas gently.
• Make sure the bed linens remain dry and free of wrinkles.
• Pepper slightly with corn starch
• Pat the skin dry, do not rub
  

LIFTING TURNING AND POSITIONING IN BED
As the patient weakens due to increased age or a progressive disease, additional help is needed to move in the bed or to move from the bed to a chair. Adjusting positions helps positive skin hygiene and a general sense of well being.

When Turning:

1. Slacken the draw sheet on all sides of the bed
2. Bring down the side rail closest to you; make sure the one opposite to you is up
3. Close the patient’s arms across their chest.
4. Cross the ankles that will be on top
5. Hold onto the draw sheet at the shoulder and the hip.
6. Tug the draw sheet to you
7. With the draw sheet, lightly roll the patient in your direction
8. Put a pillow or rolled up blanket behind the patient’s back.
9. Put a pillow between the knees and an additional pillow under the upper arm