Hygiene Guide for Caregivers

One in five Americans are acting as family caregivers.¹ With that in mind, this helpful guide has been specially created to help family caregivers approach the basics of personal care and hygiene tasks with confidence.

Personal care is an aspect of caregiving that involves anything of a personal nature. This may include day-to-day tasks that help maintain hygiene such as bathing and showering, applying creams and lotions, or grooming hair and shaving.

Assisting with toileting is often a key part of caregiving. This may involve:

• Helping your loved one reach the toilet when they need to go
• Assisting them with using a commode or bed pan
• Changing incontinence pads
• Cleaning intimate areas
• Keeping intimate skin healthy by applying barrier creams or emollients

It’s important to get to know what your family member likes or dislikes to foster a feeling of trust between the two of you. When helping with any aspect of toileting, you should aim to be calm and discreet, in order to help your loved one preserve their sense of dignity and self-esteem.

Many elderly or disabled individuals face barriers to maintaining hygiene and they may struggle with incontinence, which can be emotionally upsetting for both the caregiver or the person affected by it.² Understanding these challenges as a caregiver can help you show greater empathy and patience.

• Physical limitations: Conditions like arthritis, weakness, or pain can make bathing and grooming difficult or painful.²
• Cognitive decline: Memory loss or confusion from dementia can cause individuals to forget hygiene routines or feel frightened by them.
• Emotional resistance: Hygiene tasks can feel intrusive. Feelings of embarrassment, loss of independence, or depression may lead to reluctance.
• Sensory and comfort issues: Sensitivity to temperature, sounds, or textures can make hygiene routines uncomfortable or overwhelming.
• Fear of falling: Bathrooms can feel unsafe, and fear of slipping may cause avoidance.
• Fatigue: Low energy from illness or age can make personal care feel too demanding.

Recognizing these challenges can help with offering respectful caregiving.

When creating a hygiene plan for your loved one, there are a few different tasks you’ll need to consider such as going to the toilet, showering, cleaning teeth or dentures, haircare, shaving and nailcare.

Many people like to maintain a sense of independence when it comes to personal care and hygiene. Some people may just need a simple reminder, whereas others might require a little bit of help with tasks they find challenges. Some dependents may need full assistance. Try to find out your loved one’s preferences and tailor the hygiene plan to their specific needs, habits, abilities and desires. Thinking about these questions can be helpful:

• How often do they want to take a shower or bath?
• How often do they like to wash their hair?
• Do they prefer to wash in the morning or evening?
• What are their preferred products?
• Do they have any product allergies?

Creating a worksheet that details personal care tasks, how frequently they are performed and what products to use can be a helpful way of getting organised.

Creating an atmosphere of trust is vital when helping someone with personal care. Try following these six communication tips:

• Maintain eye contact and listen to their needs
• Observe their body language
• Encourage independence where possible
• Maintain dignity and always protect their privacy
• Follow their lead
• Communicate exactly what you´re going to do
• Remain calm and patient

How to Provide Toileting Support

Here are some tips that can make it easier to help someone go to the toilet:

• Leaning forward with feet firmly placed on the floor can help them fully empty their bladder and bowel.
• Don’t rush. Elderly people may need to take their time to make sure their bladder is completely empty.
• Regular routines are helpful, but you should also be flexible and make sure that assistance is available when needed.
• Keep to scheduled toilet visits (if you skip a toilet visit, you increase the risk of an accident happening).
• Use a soft pillow ring to make the toilet more comfortable.
• Keep the bathroom clean, tidy and free of clutter, and keep hygiene items within reach.
• Make sure your loved one’s clothes are comfortable and easy to take off and put on again. Using TENA Pants can help your relative maintain a sense of independence.

How to Help Change Incontinence Products and Maintain Patient Dignity

If you need to help your loved one change their incontinence products, try to do this gently and respectfully. Knowing how to change your loved one’s products correctly will make the process faster and smoother. Choose products that are the correct size, type and absorption level to prevent leakages.

Different products can be used at different times of day and during different activities. Be sure to pick the right one for the best comfort and security against leakage. Whatever product you use, you can always refer to TENA’s detailed instructions, including video tutorials and guides, to show you how to change products comfortably.

How to Help Clean Up After a Toileting Accident

If your loved one has an accident, reassure them that accidents can happen to anyone and there is nothing to feel embarrassed about. You should then remove the incontinence product, clean the skin with a gentle cleanser, and dry the skin thoroughly before putting on a fresh product. For extra protection on sensitive, fragile skin, barrier cream is a great product to incorporate into your changing routine. It helps prevent skin problems such as rashes, dryness, and infection. It will also aid your loved one’s comfort.

If you go out together, remember to pack wipes, a spare change of underwear, and any incontinence products you may need.

How to Offer Shower or Bathing Assistance

If you need to assist the person you care for with showering or bathing, start by choosing the right product for their skin sensitivity. Check the water temperature is comfortable on the lower body before you start to wash the upper part of the body. If your loved one has very limited mobility, you may wish to clean them in bed. Use no-rinse solutions like TENA ProSkin Cleansing Cream or TENA ProSkin Ultra Adult Wipes that are easy to use and leaves the skin moisturized and protected.

How to Assist Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene, including brushing teeth and flossing, is important to prevent oral issues. The easiest way to support someone with oral hygiene is to have them sit in a chair and stand behind them while supporting their head. Once in a comfortable position, you can begin brushing their teeth. Also make sure to inspect gums regularly to identify color changes, swelling or bleeding (and act on any signs of problems).

How to Protect Your Loved One’s Skin

We all need our skin to be healthy—our happiness and comfort depend on it. As we grow older, our skin also ages and loses fat. It can become fragile, dry and more at risk from injury. You might like to put a daily moisturizing routine in place to keep skin soft and smooth.

When it comes to caring for intimate skin, it’s important to adhere to the right toileting and skincare routines to maintain skin health. If the genital area is exposed to a fecal accident, it is important to remove it promptly to keep intimate skin healthy. Regular visits to the toilet help to maintain bowel and bladder health.

Using a gentle cleanser to clean the skin daily, using the right absorbency incontinence product, avoiding friction in the intimate area and using a barrier cream to protect genital and perineal skin can prevent issues in this sensitive area of the body.

How to Prevent Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD)

IAD occurs when the skin around the genital and perineal area becomes inflamed due to prolonged exposure to urine and feces. The presence of urine and feces causes a rise in pH, which increases the permeability of the skin and affects its natural barrier, making it more prone to infection.

A safe, accessible space can make hygiene routines less stressful and help individuals maintain independence. Here are simple ways to set up bathrooms and bedrooms for safety and comfort:

Bathroom Tips

• Install grab bars by the toilet and shower
• Place non-slip mats on floors and in the shower
• Use a sturdy shower chair for balance and comfort
• Keep toiletries and towels within easy reach
• Set water heaters to a safe temperature to avoid burns

Bedroom Tips

• Keep walkways clear of cords and clutter
• Add nightlights for safe nighttime movement
• Store essentials on a bedside table for easy access
• Use bed rails or adjustable beds for support if needed

Encourage Independence

• Provide easy-to-use hygiene tools (like electric toothbrushes or long-handled sponges)
• Establish simple, consistent routines
• Be patient and let them complete tasks they’re capable of

Even well-meaning caregivers can make small mistakes that make hygiene harder. Here’s what to watch out for, and how to fix it:

• Rushing the person: Take your time. Move slowly and patiently to reduce stress and avoid accidents.
• Not communicating clearly: Speak gently, explain each step, and check for understanding.
• Neglecting dignity: Offer choices, maintain privacy, and use towels or robes for modesty.
• Ignoring safety hazards: Regularly check for water spills, unsecured rugs, and other tripping hazards.
• Doing everything for them: Allow them to do what they can (even small tasks) to build confidence and independence.

Keeping a good standard of personal hygiene will help keep both of you healthy. You should ensure you always wash your hands before and after helping them eat a meal, and help your relative to clean their hands too. Good hand hygiene is also vital when helping someone with their toileting routine. Wash your hands with hand soap before helping your loved one go to the toilet, and after changing their incontinence products. You might also like to keep hand sanitizer with you when out and about.

1. TENA global research on attitudes and awareness to family caregiving in the general population. July 2022 Poland, Canada, France, UK, USA. Each country Interviewed over 1,000 men and women (18+).