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Guidance for Bathing Patients with Dementia
A hot shower or a long bath, for many us this sounds relaxing. However, for people living with Alzheimer’s disease a bath is too often something they only endure, not enjoy. Baths are given by caregivers who may feel rushed or distracted themselves. The person with Alzheimer’s may be confused by the bathroom or the stuff of bathing – bottles, towels, sponges and the like. They may feel vulnerable or attacked and may respond by screaming, crying, or lashing out. Then bathing turns into an unpleasant and sometimes dangerous job.
Dr. Ann Louise Barrick and her colleagues at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill have done research on bathing and developed techniques that work to avoid these struggles. She teaches caregivers how to tailor the bath to fit the particular needs and comfort levels of each person. She says that is another step in a “person-centered” model of care. Much as a person with Alzheimer’s is given a choice at meal time about peas or carrots, coffee or tea, some parts of the bathing routine can be negotiated or discussed with the patient.
Make sure the room is a comfortable temperature, use a hand held shower to control the volume and direction of the water, and be sensitive to preferences about modesty. The person being showered can even wear a lightweight gown.
Sponge baths or towel baths that can be done in bed or a favorite chair are also a good alternative. No-rinse soap makes it quick and removes one step from the process and this can make it easier for both people. Finally, Dr. Barrick says that most people who cannot bathe themselves do not need a bath every day. Use a soft cloth to refresh or clean only the soiled skin. With patience and creativity, bath time can be safe and pleasant.
For more information, Dr. Barrick’s book is available at bookstores and on-line.
- Bathing without a Battle: Person-Directed Care of Individuals with Dementia by Ann Louise Barrick, Philip D. Sloane, Joanne Rader, Beverly Hoeffer, Philip D. Sloane (Editor)
- For no-rinse soap and other helpful tools, the Alzheimer’s Store is a good resource. It is on the web at: http://www.alzstore.com
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The Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute is participating in a clinical research trial for an approved study drug looking at individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Qualified participants will receive study-related evaluations, lab work, electrocardiograms, and cognitive evaluations at no charge while taking part in the study. Eligible participants must:
Please contact our Clinical Research Staff at: (813) 866-16114001 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33613 |
Meet a Board Member
Sheila M. McDevitt
Sheila McDevitt is a senior executive and business strategist with extensive experience in the public utilities sector. With her strong business judgment and legal background, Ms. McDevitt is recognized as an authority on ethics and compliance.
Currently, Ms. McDevitt is the Principal of Sheila M. McDevitt, P.L., a consulting firm. Ms. McDevitt retired, after 26 years, as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Legal Officer at TECO Energy, Inc. in Tampa, Florida where she is credited for having built the first Legal Department for the 108 year old, large and traditional utility company.
As the General Counsel at TECO, Ms. McDevitt provided invaluable direction and legal advice to senior executives and the Board on numerous critical matters; significantly, the company’s exit from its merchant power business. She led the strategic acquisition and merger of Florida’s largest regulated gas utility which expanded the company’s service footprint throughout the state.
She has received numerous awards including: the Outstanding Contribution Award for Pioneering in Business Ethics from the Center for Ethics at the University of Tampa; Distinguished Alum from the College of Law at Florida State University; several times she was named as one of Florida’s Elite Business Lawyers by Florida Trend magazine; Corporate Counsel of the Year by the Hillsborough County Bar Association and on the lists of Who’s Who in America and 100 Irish American Business Leaders by Irish America magazine.
Ms. McDevitt has a deep commitment to public service and higher education and is a gubernatorial appointee with Senate confirmation to the Florida Board of Governors overseeing the State University System for which she is the Vice Chair and the Chair of the Student Affairs Committee.
Within the community, Ms. McDevitt is the Co-Chair of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society at the United Way of Tampa Bay, a Trustee and member of the Executive Committee for The Florida Orchestra, President-Elect of the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation and a member of boards of the Center for Women, Lowry Park Zoological Society and the Pier Aquarium in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Ms. McDevitt holds both a B.A. and J.D. from Florida State University in Tallahassee and continued her education at the Harvard Business School’s Executive Education Program, Leadership in Professional Service Firms. She lives in the Tampa Bay community of North Redington Beach.
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