5 Hygiene and Personal Care

Respect and independence

Personal hygiene supports comfort, dignity, skin health, and prevention of infection. Adapt assistance to the person’s abilities, health needs, culture, preferences, and usual routine. Encourage the person to do as much as they safely can, offering help rather than taking over.

Explain what you plan to do, ask permission, and check that the person is comfortable. Offer simple choices when possible, such as using a washcloth or taking a shower.

Privacy, safety, and clean care

Protect privacy by knocking before entering, closing the door or curtain, and limiting exposure to the area being washed. Cover the person with a towel or bath blanket between steps, and keep personal-care information private.

Gather supplies before beginning, keep the room warm, use nonslip surfaces and prescribed safety equipment, and check the water temperature. Stay with a person who may be at risk of falling.

Use clean technique: wash your hands before and after care, use clean washcloths and towels, and change water or cloths when soiled. Follow workplace instructions for gloves and other protective equipment, especially when contact with body fluids is possible.

Bathing and skin care

Bathing can take place in a tub, shower, at a sink, or as a bed bath, depending on the person’s needs and care plan. A full bath is not always necessary every day. Keep the face, hands, underarms, skin folds, and genital area clean, and change soiled clothing promptly. Respect the person’s preferred schedule and adapt care if bathing causes discomfort or distress.

Prepare towels, soap, clean clothes, and any needed equipment first. Use warm—not hot—water and a mild cleanser. Wash gently, rinse away soap, and pat the skin dry rather than rubbing. Pay attention to skin folds and apply moisturizer to dry skin as appropriate. Avoid bath oils that can make surfaces slippery.

With incontinence, cleanse the area promptly and use a skin-protective product as directed. For perineal care, clean from front to back and use a clean part of the cloth for each stroke.

Skin checks and adapting care

Check the skin during routine care, especially under skin folds and in places exposed to pressure. Observe for new pain, bruising, persistent redness, rash, sores, or swelling. Report persistent redness, broken skin, and sores to the appropriate health professional; do not massage a red or sore area.

If the person resists or becomes upset, pause and reassure them. Consider offering care at a different time or using a less stressful method, such as a partial wash.

Oral care

Oral care supports healthy teeth and gums and can make eating and speaking more comfortable. Help the person brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily, and clean between teeth daily when possible. Use a soft-bristled or adapted toothbrush if needed.

Clean dentures according to the dentist’s instructions. Report mouth sores, bleeding gums, tooth pain, dry mouth, or dentures that no longer fit well. Arrange regular dental care, including for people who wear dentures.

Grooming and appearance

Grooming may include hair care, shaving, nail care, and clean clothing. Ask what the person prefers, use familiar products or routines when possible, provide a mirror, and allow extra time for participation. Use an electric razor when appropriate to reduce the risk of cuts.

Keep nails clean and safely trimmed. Seek clinical guidance for foot or nail care when the person has diabetes, poor circulation, reduced sensation, or other risk factors.

Putting respectful care into practice

Before a shower, knock, explain the plan, and ask permission. Close the door, gather supplies, and check that the room and water are comfortable. Let the person wash areas they can reach, helping only where requested or needed.

Keep the person covered when not washing. Dry skin folds gently, help with moisturizer and clean clothes as appropriate, and leave the person safely situated with needed items within reach. Effective personal care combines cleanliness with safety, comfort, respect, and attention to the person’s preferences and care plan.