Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living
Bathing and hygiene
Provide privacy and encourage independence: let the resident do whatever they can. Bathe from clean to dirty, cleanse perineal areas front to back, and dry skin folds thoroughly. Oral care: brush teeth and gums; for an unconscious resident, turn them to the side and never put fluids in the mouth. Clean dentures over a basin lined with a washcloth or filled with water so they do not break. Use an electric razor for a resident on blood thinners. Do not cut the toenails of a resident with diabetes or poor circulation; report to the nurse. Never cut corns or calluses.
Positioning and skin
Reposition at least every two hours, keep heels off the mattress, keep linens dry and wrinkle-free, and use a 30-degree lateral tilt. Check the skin with every turn and report reddened areas that do not blanch, warmth, or open areas. Do not massage a reddened area.
Dressing and grooming
Dress the weak or affected side first and undress that side last. Use the resident's own toiletries and follow their style preferences.
Traps
Leaving a resident alone in the bathroom. Using a safety razor on a resident taking anticoagulants. Cutting a diabetic resident's toenails. Carrying dentures over a bare sink.
Rule of thumb
Clean to dirty, and when in doubt, ask the resident before deciding for them.