How to Assist with Shower: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Ensure that the bathroom is warm, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the skid-proof plastic bath mat in the tub.
- Test the temperature of the water with your hand.
- Wash and carefully dry your hands.
- Put on disposable gloves.
- Help the patient undress and place soiled clothing in a plastic bag in the laundry hamper.
- If needed, assist the patient to sit on a bath stool or bath seat across the tub.
- Have the patient hold the grab bar (if available) on the back wall of the tub with one hand.
- Swivel and lift both legs into the tub.
- Use a shower extension to help the patient clean himself as much as possible.
- Help with the back and ensure all soap is rinsed off the skin.
- If needed, have the patient hold a dry, folded washcloth over his eyes during shampooing.
- Pour warm water over the patient’s head using a pitcher or a shower extension.
- Rub in shampoo and massage the patient’s head.
- Rinse off the shampoo with clean, warm water using a pitcher or a shower extension.
- Dry the hair.
- Help the patient stand and dry his upper body or dry his upper body and arms while sitting in the tub.
- Let the water out of the tub.
- With the towel over his upper body, help the patient sit on the edge of the tub.
- Help the patient swivel his legs over the edge of the tub.
- Dry the rest of the body, paying attention to under the arms and other skin creases and between the toes.
- Apply body lotion to the skin and help the patient dress.
- Place soiled towels and washcloths in the laundry bag, clean the tub, and mop the floor.
- Remove gloves and discard them into a plastic storage bag.
- Seal the bag and place it in the trash.
- Wash and dry your hands thoroughly.
- If needed, assist the patient in a walk-in shower, staying with him to help with the procedure.
The supplies you will need to have easily accessible in the bathroom include:
- Clean clothing
- Skid-proof plastic bath mat
- (2) Washcloths
- (2) Towels
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Plastic pitcher
- Skin lotion
- Comb and Brush
- Disposable gloves
- Sealable plastic storage bag
Ensure that the bathroom is pleasantly warm, around 70. Place the skid-proof plastic bath mat in the tub. Test the temperature of the water with your hand.
Wash and carefully dry your hands.
Put on your disposable gloves.
Help your patient undress and place soiled clothing in the plastic bag in the laundry hamper.
If your patient is not strong enough to get into the tub or stand upright long enough to take a shower you can use a bath stool or a bath seat across the tub.
Help your patient sit on the edge of the tub. If there is a grab bar on the back wall of the tub, have the patient hold it with one hand.
Swivel and lift both legs into the tub.
With the patient seated, it is easiest, and most comfortable for the patient, to use a shower extension.
Again, encourage the patient to do as much as possible for himself.
You may have to help with the back and to make sure all soap is rinsed off the skin.
If it’s shampoo time and the patient cannot do it himself, you can have him hold a dry, folded washcloth over his eyes to protect them.
Pour clean, warm water over the patient’s head using a pitcher or a shower extension.
Rub in shampoo and massage the patient’s head.
Rinse off the shampoo with clean warm water using a pitcher or a shower extension.
Dry the hair.
If possible have the patient stand and help him dry his upper body. Otherwise, dry his upper body and arms with him sitting in the tub. Let the water out of the tub.
With the towel over his upper body, help the patient sit on the edge of the tub.
Support the patient and help him swivel his legs over the edge of the tub. He can rest for a while if need be.
Help dry the rest of the body, paying attention to under the arms and other skin creases and between the toes.
Apply body lotion to the skin and help the patient dress.
After making your patient comfortable, return to the bathroom, place soiled towels and washcloths in the laundry bag, clean the tub and mop the floor.
Remove your gloves, discard them into a plastic storage bag. Seal the bag and place it in the trash.
Carefully wash and dry your hands.
If you have a walk-in shower and the patient is strong enough to stand for a shower, the helper may need to stay with him and generally help with the procedure.
