Assisting older adults with bathing and hygiene: a few practices to consider from UK NHS advice
Daily hygiene for older adults is not just about getting clean, but about feeling safe and at ease. The UK NHS's basic hygiene advice covers how often to wash hands, wash the face, bathe, and brush teeth. When bathing an older adult, you can adjust the water temperature, prevent slips, use a handheld shower, and explain each step. This article sets out the practices that can be borrowed, for family members and caregivers to use as a reference.
Machine translation of our Chinese article, without human translation review. Suggestions concerning China remain specific to China.
Automatically reviewed, without human verification. Programmatic checks are not professional review. Seek professional advice where appropriate. Automatically reviewed on 10/4/2026, 7:14:25 AM
Chinese fact summaries and suggestions for China (not a full translation)
Original: How to help someone you care for keep clean - Care and support guide - NHS · Original language: en
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Facts from the sources
The UK NHS advises that, to keep the person being cared for clean, you should wash their hands after using the toilet every day, clean their genitals and buttocks every day, wash their face every day, give them a bath or shower at least twice a week, and brush their teeth twice a day. View source
The UK NHS advises that when helping an older adult bathe, you can use pleasantly scented shampoo, bubble bath or soap, and play music they like and are familiar with; if the older adult is confused, explain what you are doing while washing. View source
The UK NHS's bathroom safety tips state that you should make sure the floor is not slippery, the room temperature is comfortable, and the water temperature is comfortable; older adults particularly feel the cold, so this should be taken into account when adjusting the water temperature; you should also remove the door lock to avoid being unable to enter in an emergency. View source
The UK NHS points out that an overhead shower can be frightening for some people; if there is no bathtub or there are good reasons to choose a shower, a handheld shower can be used. View source
The UK NHS says that if the person being cared for cannot move or is extremely limited in movement, they may need a bed bath; take extra care when moving and handling them. View source
The UK NHS says that social services departments should be able to provide small assistive equipment and home adaptations, including handrails, commode chairs and raised toilet seats. View source
For older people and families
Remind the older adult every day to wash their hands after using the toilet, wash their face, clean their intimate area, and brush their teeth twice a day.
If the older adult is afraid of the overhead shower, switch to a handheld shower and explain what you are doing while washing.
Before bathing, adjust the room temperature and make sure the water is not too hot; older adults generally feel the cold.
Place a non-slip mat on the bathroom floor to reduce the risk of slipping.
Remove the bathroom door lock to prevent being unable to get in if the older adult has an accident inside.
If the older adult is completely bedridden and cannot move, do not move them on your own; first consult a nurse or professional caregiver.
Choosing toiletries the older adult likes and playing familiar music can help ease tension.
Do not treat cleaning as a task; observe the older adult's reactions closely and stop if they feel unwell.
See what care and community teams can do
Assess the older adult's daily cleaning abilities and develop an individualised cleaning plan; do not treat "bathing at least twice a week" as a uniform fixed target.
For older adults with cognitive impairment, explain the steps in simple language before starting, to reduce confusion.
Before modifying the bathroom, have professionals check the slip resistance of the floor, the load-bearing capacity of handrails, and the safety of the thermostatic valve; do not carry out construction based on experience.
Before giving a bedridden older adult a bed bath, a nurse or rehabilitation therapist should assess the risk of moving and repositioning, and train correct handling techniques.
If assistive devices such as a raised toilet seat, commode chair or handrails are needed, apply through local social services or a professional assessment channel, and confirm that the model and size match.
Record any signs of discomfort the older adult shows during bathing, such as dizziness or changes in complexion, and promptly refer them for medical assessment.
Remind caregivers to protect their own lower backs and avoid injury when moving and handling.
Basic hygiene tasks such as handwashing and cleaning the intimate area should be included in the daily care checklist, and team members should supervise one another.
What needs local assessment
The above content is compiled from general advice publicly available from the UK NHS. It is not a policy statement about China's current system, nor does it replace professional medical or home assessment. The specific frequency and methods of cleaning should be determined jointly by family members, nurses or doctors based on the older adult's health condition. Bathroom slip resistance and handrail installation involve load-bearing and construction issues, so be sure to have professionals verify the situation on site. Statistics and individual circumstances differ; seek medical attention promptly in the event of a fall, skin damage, or abnormal breathing. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Information from the NHS website is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This article is an independent Chinese-language compilation and recommendation by this website, and is not an official NHS translation or content approved by the NHS. Licence: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
Sources
UK National Health Service (NHS)Was this article helpful?
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