Abstract
Bathing is a complex activity requiring cognitive and physical abilities including balance, strength, coordination, and executive function (Naik, Concato, & Gill, 2004; Rader et al., 2006). In people with Alzheimer’s-type dementia, bathing represents one of the earliest activities of daily living (ADLs) to require supervision, then assistance. In a national survey of nursing homes, at least 90% of residents required bathing assistance (Rader et al., 2006).
When people with dementia residing in an institution require assistance with bathing, the process is complicated by the culture, values, and expectations of people who assist with the bath. Seemingly simple concepts such as what is clean versus what is dirty and how one responds to what he or she perceives can trigger conflicts. Moreover, in an institutional setting there are policies, rules, and traditions of care that might trump individual needs and beliefs. There are also regulatory standards that must be followed and issues related to economies of scale. What may seem like a simple bath to assistants may be perceived as a personal attack and result in resistance due to high levels of anxiety, agitation, and aggression (Calleson, Sloane, Philip, & Cohen, 2006).
There is a large body of research and literature regarding all aspects of bathing practices. This article is a summary of selected portions of the evidence-based practice guideline Bathing Persons with Dementia (Hall, Gallagher, & Hoffmann-Snyder, 2013). This updated version of the earlier guideline (Thiru-Chelvam, 2004) is available for purchase from The University of Iowa Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence at http://www.nursing.uiowa.edu/excellence/evidence-based-practice-guidelines. The goal is to promote therapeutic bathing experiences based on the needs and preferences of the individual with dementia that facilitate feelings of comfort, safety, autonomy, and self-esteem. The guideline addresses the long-term care (LTC) setting.
Individuals with dementia generally become dependent in bathing in mid-disease, yet the extent and type of disability varies with the etiology. As the diseases progress, increased time and effort are required to bathe the person with dementia (Kobayashi & Yamamoto, 2004). In people with Alzheimer’s-type dementia, the most significant disabilities were associated with using the stairs, bathing, lower extremity dressing, and issues of transfer into the bathing site (i.e., tub or shower). In cognitive domains, executive dysfunction (planning and executing the steps in sequence to reach a goal) and memory were the primary problems. However, in people with a major neurocognitive disorder (NCD) due to a vascular etiology (vascular dementia), issues with bathing, upper and lower extremity dressing, and grooming were more difficult, and the cognitive issue was difficulty with problem solving (Shiau, Yu, Yuan, Lin, & Liu, 2006).
When the person being bathed has more moderate and advanced cognitive impairment, including altered visual perception, recognition, balance, and motor planning, one may lack the context for understanding both the procedure and/or may not recognize the person assisting him or her. Thus, what may seem like a simple bath to assistants may be perceived by residents with dementia as a personal attack, sexual violation, or intended drowning. These disabilities result in resistance due to high levels of anxiety, agitation, and aggression (Calleson et al., 2006).
Physical aspects that contribute to bathing resistance include (a) pain from musculoskeletal conditions, (b) fatigue and weakness, and (c) discomfort from cold, drafty rooms/halls and sharp shower spray. Fear can develop from usual bathing practices due to (a) fear of falling, (b) being transported through noisy areas, (c) being naked in front of strangers, and (d) being hoisted high in the air on a mechanical lift (Rader et al., 2006).
A study of 107 people with dementia found 51% had previous is sues with aggression. When observing residents during four direct care activity , that produced significant levels of aggression.Resident factores associated with the aggression included the following
• Negative affect
• History of premorbid aggressive personality
• History of premorbid disagreeableness
• Lower functional and mental status scores ‘and
• Lower education level
Assessment
Every individual entering a LTC setting should be formally assessed for cognitive and functional status initially and every 6 month or if there is change in condition.The goal of assessment is to know as clearly as possible the invidual abilities and need for assistance to avoid unpleasant surprises . Funtional assessment s usally providual’s need for help with a particular ADL and the level of assistance needed to “get the job done” They are the intial indicators of patient needs however,additional information is required to make the bath person-centered.
The bathing process
Bathing should never be forced on a person or treated as a life or death win/lose situation . Gaspard abd Cox point out the need to use policies and guidelines that are consistent with a culture of caring and respect for the resident staff and families . In addition careful documentation of methods and outcomes will assist future caregivers in providing appropriate accepted in providual care recipient .
Why reactions Occur
Bathing involves multiple stresse and individals with dementia have a decredsed threshold for tolerating stress in their environment If a large group of resident needs to be bathed each day employees may work quickly often in the early morning to accomplish the goal. This can cause stress agitation and even aggression as a resident might feel a loss of dignity and control. Being undressed and washed by a s tranger may be a humiliating frightening and potentially traumatic experience. Agitated behavior are more likely to occur with providing care in feeding and bathing . Negative verbral responses were more likely to be treated with benzodiazepine agent and neuroleptic medications (antipsycotic agent ) but both have limited efficacy and pose risk to residents
Showering an individual with dementia was the ADL most likely to provoke patient-to-staff physical aggression
Resistive behaviors are normal responses to the following perceived theats
• Unfamillar activities.
• The presence of stangers
• Unpleasant sensations
• Fear of caching cold
• Feeling confused,dominated,insulted
• Misinterpretation as a sexual assault
• Impaired ability to recognize staff as being helpful not harmful
• Unwanted touch or invasion of personal space.
• Frustration from declining abilities
• Anticipation of pain.
• Perceived loss of control.
• Lack of attention to personal needs.