For most people the process of bathing can be pleasurable and relaxing; and, although it serves hygienic needs, it is often individualized to a person’s preferences in order to enhance the pleasurable experience. The efforts extended to enhance the bathing experience are often extensive, spanning from environmental design of the bath to use of various cosmetic products. In contrast, the bathing process for elderly people suffering from dementia is often a traumatic experience for both residents and caregivers. Agitated behaviors of dementia patients increase during bathing. In the past, these behaviors were viewed from the caregiver burden perspective and labeled as problem behaviors. Research has made strides in understanding agitated behaviors, and the distress and unmet needs underlying the behaviors. Factors influencing the experience of the bathing process and resulting agitated behaviors can be categorized into three broad groups: the needs of the person with dementia, the needs of the caregiver, and the physical environment in which bathing takes place. This presentation will review the literature on alternative approaches to bathing. It will then describe several case examples in which the bathing experience was altered to reduce both caregiver and care-receiver suffering. Although research has identified effective interventions for the prevention of agitated behaviors, the caregiving process in most nursing homes has not approached this goal. Two factors that have not been extensively studied are architectural design and the human factors analysis of the bathing process as it relates to impeding the progress of care and increase of staff burden. Additionally, topics like residents’ preferences concerning bathing procedures, and communication during bathing have not been sufficiently explored. The presentation will provide examples of these opportunities for improving the bathing process. Questions for future research will be outlined.
Back to S041 Enhancing the Quality of Life for Persons with Dementia Using Nonpharmacological Approaches
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