How to wash a person

Transcript

[Music plays]

[Text on screen] How to wash a person. caring@home.

>>Narrator (female voice over): In this video you will be shown how to wash a person by following a step-by-step process.

It is best to have a second carer with you for this process to help you to turn and hold the person. If you do not have a second person, make sure that you have one side of the bed up against a wall, or have the bed rail up on one side.

As you will see all the person’s skin when you are washing them, it is a good time to check if there are any wounds or red areas. If you do discover a red area, please let the nurse or doctor know.

It is important to keep the person as covered up as possible whilst washing them. Only have the body part that is being washed exposed.

This will keep them warm and preserve their dignity.

>>Narrator (female voice over): Get the things you need

• 2 towels
• The tip sheet
• A bowl of warm water
• 3 washcloths
• Gentle soap or body wash
• A comb or a brush
• Some dry shampoo or powder or you can use a shampoo cap if you have one
• Moisturiser

[Text on screen] 1.You need :

• 2 towels
• Tip sheet
• Bowl of warm water
• 3 washcloths
• Gentle soap / body wash
• Comb / brush
• Dry shampoo / powder / shampoo cap
• Moisturiser

>>Narrator (female voice over): Firstly, wash, rinse and dry the person’s face, ears and neck. Place a towel under the person’s head and over their chest. Wash with a soapy washcloth. Use a second wet wash cloth to wipe down the person’s skin to wash the soap off. Once this is done you can dry the person’s face, ears and neck with the towel.

[Text on screen] 2. Wash, rinse and dry face, ears and neck.

>>Narrator (female voice over): Wash, rinse and dry the chest and abdomen.

[Text on screen] 3.Wash, rinse and dry arms, armpits and hands.

>>Narrator (female voice over): Once they are lined up, place the slide sheets lengthways next to the person.

[Text on screen] 4. Wash, rinse and dry chest and abdomen.

>>Narrator (female voice over): Wash, rinse and dry the legs and feet.

[Text on screen] 5. Wash, rinse and dry the legs and feet.

>>Narrator (female voice over): Lift one leg to wash, rinse and dry the groin and pubic area. Make sure that you wipe from the front to the back when cleaning this area. You can use disposable wipes first if needed to clean up any mess. Lower the leg.

[Text on screen] 6. Wash, rinse and dry the groin and pubic area. Wipe from front to back. Use disposable wipes first if needed.

>>Narrator (female voice over): With someone holding onto the person on the other side, lift and bend the leg and roll the person onto the side that is most comfortable for them by gently pushing on their shoulder and hip.

[Text on screen] 7. Roll person onto their side.

>>Narrator (female voice over): Wash, rinse and dry their back with a new washcloth.

[Text on screen] 8. Wash, rinse and dry the back.

>>Narrator (female voice over): Wash, rinse and dry their bottom. Again, you can use disposable wipes if there is any mess.

[Text on screen] 9. Wash, rinse and dry bottom.

>>Narrator (female voice over): Apply some moisturiser to the body where it is needed. This will help stimulate blood flow to pressure points to reduce the risk or pressure sores developing. Remove the towel from the bed.

[Text on screen] 10. Apply moisturiser.

>>Narrator (female voice over): You can then dress the person and put them in a comfortable position.

[Text on screen] 11. Dress the person and put them in a comfortable position.

>>Narrator (female voice over): Once the person is in a comfortable position, this is a good time to clean and comb their hair. You can freshen the hair with some dry shampoo, talcum powder, or a shampoo cap. Once the hair has been freshened up, you can brush or comb it into the person’s usual style. As a final step gently remove the towel from under the person’s head.

[Text on screen] 12. Clean and comb hair.

[Text on screen] caring@home. caringathomeproject.com.au

caring@home is funded by the Australian Government and led by Brisbane South Palliative Care Collaborative

[Music ends]

End of transcript