How to Care for Immobile Seniors as a Family Caregiver

The way you care for your loved one depends on their physical condition and how much support they need from you.

Are they unable to stand up and support their own weight? Do they spend most of their time in bed? Do they need you to help them get dressed and clean? </>

If they fit any of those descriptions, this section is for you. Here you can pick up practical tips on how to take better care of them.

One of the most important things you can do for your loved one’s health and comfort is to help them with their personal hygiene. This is a very personal area of care though, and some caregivers find it embarrassing at the beginning.

Although you might find it a challenge, helping them provides some of the most rewarding moments of caregiving. It could even help strengthen the bond between you.

supporting your loved one with senior personal hygiene, it’s important to help them feel respected and comfortable. Closing the door or curtains while they bathe can go a long way. Even communicating each step and moving at their pace can make the process feel safer and more dignified.

Here are some practical hygiene tips to help your loved one feel comfortable and respected during the process:

Bathing

• Test the water temperature together before you start pouring.
• Gather all products and towels before you begin.
• Wash one area at a time, keeping the rest of the body covered with a towel.
• Use a non-slip mat, shower chair, or handrails to prevent falls.

Oral care

• Let them know they can tell you if you’re brushing too hard.
• Brush gently, stop if they complain, reassure, and adjust pressure as they tolerate.
• Use soft-bristle toothbrushes to help prevent pain and discomfort.

Hair care

• Consider no-rinse shampoos or washing hair at the sink to reduce strain.
• Avoid pulling or tugging while combing.
• Ask how they’d like their hair styled.

Clothing choice

• Choose easy-to-wear clothing, such as adaptive outfits with Velcro or magnetic fasteners.
• Lay out a couple of outfits so they can make the final choice.

As you may know, when we grow older, our skin ages too and it becomes quite fragile. As a result, elderly people need a special hygiene routine, one designed for their delicate skin.

That’s especially the case if they suffer from incontinence, since urine and feces irritate and damage their skin. Gentle cleansing and protection help prevent skin irritation and infection. It’s also soothing, and helps your loved one feel clean, comfortable, refreshed and healthy, boosting their confidence.

You need to consider three steps when caring for their skin: cleansing, restoring and protecting. That’s where TENA skin care range could help you. It’s tailor-made for fragile elderly skin.

Skin Breakdown and Bedsores

As we’ve mentioned, it’s a good idea to protect elderly skin from urine and feces, which can be particularly harsh on it.

Here are some practical tips to help protect and care for your loved one's skin:

Check skin daily: When cleaning your loved one, try to check the condition of their skin.¹ Check if you can see any signs of skin breakdown, such as warmth, swelling, or blisters.¹

Act early: If you notice any changes, take steps right away to prevent the issue from worsening.¹ You could use barrier creams for incontinence to protect your loved one's skin from breakdown.¹

For more practical hygiene tips, read our guide about incontinence and hygiene.

Support repositioning: If your loved one stays in bed for long periods and can't move on their own, help them change position often to reduce pressure on the skin.¹

Have a turning schedule: Treat repositioning as gentle daily exercise, and, if they're comfortable, use the time to give a short massage to improve circulation and comfort.¹

Ask for guidance: For advice on preventing or treating bedsores, consult your doctor.¹

Use bed sore prevention products: Using tools like a pressure relief mattress and cushions could help your loved one feel comfortable and relieve pressure.¹

Is the person you’re caring for spending most of their time in bed? Are they incontinent? If so, it’s best to use purpose-made incontinence protection like incontinence briefs designed to protect from medium to heavy urine leakage.

• Senior incontinence products for day- and nighttime use
• Barrier cream and gentle cleansing products for incontinence
• Incontinence products for beds

The person you’re taking care of might need you to help them get out of bed. It can put a great deal of strain on your back when you’re lifting and moving them.

Here are some practical steps to help you move your loved ones safely:

Bed to Chair or Wheelchair

1. Position the wheelchair or chair close to the bed, with the back facing the foot of the bed.²
2. Place a pillow on the backrest for extra comfort.²
3. Lock the wheelchair brakes or anchor the chair securely.²
4. Help your loved one sit on the side of the bed, supporting their head, shoulder, and knees as they move.²
5. Give them a moment to adjust before standing.²
6. Stand in front of them for support and place your hands gently under their arms.²
7. Guide them to stand and turn slowly until their backs are to the chair.²
8. Encourage them to bend their knees and sit down gently.²

From Chair to bed

1. Help them to stand with your hands under their armpits.²
2. Help them turn slowly.²
3. Guide them back to the bed to sit slowly.²
4. Support their head and shoulder with one hand.²
5. Place your hands under their knees to support them.²
6. Lower them gently to the bed.²

To Turn Them in Bed

1. Cross your loved one's hands across their chest.³
2. Stand at the side of their bed and face them.³
3. Place a pillow between their knees.³
4. Roll the edges of the sheets on your side.³
5. Pull the sheets gently till they roll on their side.³
6. Place pillows behind your loved one's back and buttocks.³

It’s worth checking out our practical tips on safe lifting in Ergonomics. And if you are unsure about the best techniques or need assistance, consider talking with an occupational therapist to help guide you.

If your loved one can move about, with you supporting them, it’s good to help them do this. Just a little regular exercise will help their muscles stay fit and lift their spirits. Before you do, though, it’s important to make sure your home is safe for them to move about.

Read our guide on home safety for caregivers.

Good Diet and Fluid Intake

Your loved one may be inclined to drink less so that they don’t need to go to the toilet so often. This can cause other problems though. It can make their urine more concentrated and increase risks to their health.

A helpful tip to keep your loved ones hydrated is to encourage them to drink as normal, responding to their natural thirst.

Mealtimes are another important consideration. It’s worth remembering that a meal is about more than just nourishment. It’s also a social occasion; something you and your loved one can do together.

To improve your loved one's appetite, you could include other family members and friends to sit and eat with you, to share and have a laugh together. Your company will help your loved one’s health and spirits.

Feeling Connected to Others

No matter how old we are, we all love to have our hands held, our backs rubbed, or our bodies warmly hugged. Simply being connected with family members or friends feels good. When someone spends most of their time alone, these feelings become even more important.

Experienced caregivers tell us that even small activities and doing things together can help brighten up the day of the person you’re caring for.

For ideas of activities you and your loved one can enjoy together, visit Activities to Do.

Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help

Whenever we talk to experienced caregivers, the first thing they recommend is to seek help and support from others. It could be family members, friends, or local community or government services.

FAQs

How Do I Choose the Right Incontinence Products for an Immobile Senior?

When choosing the right incontinence product for your loved one, consider:

• Absorbency needs: Light, moderate, or heavy protection depending on how often leaks occur.⁴
• Incontinence type: Products are designed for urinary or fecal incontinence.⁴
• Size: A proper fit prevents leaks and keeps your loved one comfortable.⁴
• Ease of use: Look for designs with refastenable tabs that make changes easier for both you and your loved one.⁴

How Can I Keep the Bed Clean and Dry for a Senior with Heavy Incontinence?

Underpads or bed pads are great products with waterproof lining that you could place on the bed or other surfaces to absorb any urine or feces that leak out. ⁴

How Often Should I Bathe or Sponge-Bathe a Bedridden Elderly Person?

If your loved one doesn’t have a condition that needs frequent showers, you could bathe them once or twice a week to help prevent skin issues or infections.⁵

Which Bedsore Prevention Products are Recommended for Immobile Seniors?

Here are some products that could help prevent bedsores on your loved one:

• Incontinence barrier creams: Help protect their skin from urine or stool.¹
• Moisturizers: Keep the skin hydrated and less likely to crack.¹
• Cushions: Relieve pressure from bony areas like the heels.¹
• Alternating air pressure mattress: spreads pressure evenly across their body to reduce the risk of bed sores.⁶

How Can I Help Maintain My Loved One’s Personal Hygiene When They Can’t Move Independently?

Caring for a loved one who can’t move on their own could feel daunting, but with the right approach, you could help them feel clean, comfortable, and confident. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Adapt the bathroom: Install grab bars, shower chairs, or non-slip mats to make hygiene routines safer.
• Give bed baths when needed: Use warm water, gentle soap, and work one area at a time for comfort.
• Involve them: Let them make choices where possible, like water temperature or clothing.
• Check skin daily: Look for redness, swelling, or sores so you can act early.
• Keep hygiene supplies handy: Place items like wipes, a toothbrush, and a hairbrush within easy reach.