Personal Hygiene Tips for People with Limited Mobility

Maintaining personal hygiene is essential for everyone. But for older adults and people with disability, personal care can sometimes pose a unique set of challenges.

Not to worry, though! Here are a few fantastic personal hygiene tips, tailored for people with limited mobility.

Conserve Your Energy

Do you feel exhausted just thinking about personal care? Try adapting your routine to help you conserve energy. Complete tasks (like blow drying your hair or brushing your teeth) sitting down where possible. And consider breaking up your routine into a series of short tasks, done over multiple sittings. For example, you might shower, dry yourself, and dress in your comfy pyjamas. Then, after a rest, come back and brush your hair and clean your teeth. This way, you can recover your energy between tasks and make your entire routine easier.

Prioritise

Some days, completing a full personal care routine might be a bit too much to bear. That’s okay! Instead of pushing yourself to complete every step of your routine, consider prioritising certain tasks while compromising on others. For example, brushing your teeth daily is a must. But for many people, washing your hair can be done once or twice a week. So, rather than skipping your entire routine on the more difficult days, choose a few important tasks, and leave the rest for tomorrow.

Explore Helpful Hygiene Tools

To make personal care as easy as possible, why not try some assistive devices? Long-handled sponges or scrubbers can help reach difficult areas while bathing. Extended toilet paper wands can make toileting a breeze. And mouthguard toothbrushes (that vibrate in place, reducing the need for scrubbing), take the stress out of oral hygiene. Otherwise, more conventional personal care products can be handy, too. For example, use dry shampoo to help you go longer between washes. And use a textured hand mitt in the bath or shower can remove the need to handle slippery soap or a cumbersome washcloth. Personal hygiene is a vital part of maintaining our health and well-being, and limited mobility should never be a barrier to feeling fresh and clean.

Note: for personalised advice about personal care and hygiene, consult your regular GP. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations.

Could you use some help with grooming, toileting, and bathing? Here at Simply Helping, we offer flexible personal care services as part of our in home care. Click here to learn more and contact us today.