Grooming for Late Stage Dementia

The short video clip below (time: 2 minutes 45 seconds) shows a caregiver grooming a person in a late stage of dementia.

Assisting with grooming will likely be a daily responsibility for individuals who provide care for dementia patients who are in the late stages of the disease, whether it be Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, or any other form of dementia. Once the disease reaches its late stages, most dementia patients are unable to handle these tasks on their own and they will require a significant level of assistance. These grooming tasks include bathing, which may include sponge baths, undressing and dressing, combing one’s hair, flossing and brushing teeth, and any other daily tasks to keep the dementia patient clean and healthy. The following tips on grooming for late stage dementia will aid caregivers in ensuring these tasks go as smoothly as possible.

When interacting with a dementia patient, it’s a good idea to maintain consistent physical contact with him or her. This helps to create awareness that you are still there. For instance, you might sit next to their bed and gently hold their hand while you lower the bed railing. Note, while it may appear an individual in late stage Alzheimer’s disease does not respond to their name or a comment directed towards them, this isn’t necessarily true. Often times, reaction times can simply be very slow.

When touching someone with Alzheimer’s disease, use the flats of your fingers and the palm of your hand. This technique is done to ensure your touch is as comfortable as possible. Offer commentary and direction as to what you will be doing and how one can assist. For example, tell the Alzheimer’s patient that you are going to help get him or her out of bed, bathed, and dressed.

Caregivers can also ask the individual for assistance with some tasks, but they should expect to do most of the grooming themselves. Also, offer positive feedback throughout the grooming process. For instance, you might tell your loved one that you have a washcloth and are going to help him or her to clean their face. In order to have the individual assist, position his or her hand so it is in your own, with both of you holding the washcloth. Break the task of washing the face into smaller parts, which enables the dementia patient to be successful in assisting. You might tell the individual to wash one cheek, followed by the other cheek, and then the forehead. As they progress in the task, the individual’s comfort level will increase. Continue to offer encouragement throughout the process. However, remember, you, as the caretaker, will still be doing most of the work.