Culture Change Best Practices

Enhancing the Bathing Experience

Personalized bathing enhances the principles of choice and respect. Elders should be empowered to be bathed at the time they desire and the way they prefer. The goal of bathing is to provide hygiene, but it is also intended to be a way to renew and restore the spirit and bodies. Bathing, as defined by the medical mode, is relegated to a task. One that competes with the opposing forces of the market place and customer satisfaction; too many baths to give in little time by too few caregivers competing with personalized bathing desires of residents.

Types of personalized bathing include:

• Private bathing spas
• Bed baths
• Towel baths

Physical Plant Changes:

• Decorating bathing rooms to be more homelike
• Provide robes for residents
• Colored linen
• Bath salts, scrubs, and other aromatherapy items for bathing