The different types of toilet aids in nursing homes

All about the different toilets for dependent elderly people

Washing is part of hygiene care that falls within the proper role of the nurse who provides it. It is a care that aims to partially or totally compensate for a lack or a reduction in the autonomy of a person.

It is a daily act for dependent elderly residents. This act of hygiene consists in helping the person to take care of their body, especially when they are unable to do so themselves, while respecting their autonomy as much as possible. This act of everyday life, learned during childhood when learning to be independent, can sometimes become difficult, even impossible to accomplish alone, for many reasons: illness, old age, etc. What are the different types of toilet aids in nursing homes? In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about the different toilets for dependent elderly people.

The toilet: an act of daily care

The toilet is a particularly important step, for reasons of hygiene, aesthetics, but also comfort. The toilet of a dependent person is an intimate and delicate moment. It must be carried out taking into account the individual, his habits and his abilities. It involves the undressing and dressing of the resident, sometimes the local application of care, the use of soaps, or the application of cream.

It is essential, during this moment, to encourage interaction with the dependent elderly person, rather than considering this act of care as the execution of a cleaning task. The toilet is an integral part of the overall support of the person. It must be respectful, and offer a moment of well-being. It must secure, enhance, and promote a moment of communication. Beyond the simple aspect of cleanliness, it helps prevent certain skin damage, maintains the activity of the joints and muscles, and allows the individual to be rehabilitated in certain simple capacities. There are 3 types of toilets: the bed toilet, the sink toilet and the shower. More than a reason for preference or practicality, the choice of toilet is determined by the patient's state of health and his degree of autonomy.

The toilet of the very dependent elderly, bedridden

The complete toilet in bed

Toileting in bed consists of providing hygiene care for a patient who does not have the physical or mental capacity to wash themselves. A complete toilet in bed involves washing the entire body of a bedridden person. The toilet begins with the face, the torso, the arms then the legs and the feet to finish with the intimate toilet of the resident. In order to wash the back, the person will be placed on their side.

An alternative to bathing in bed: the shower in bed

The shower in bed is an interesting alternative to the complete toilet in bed. It offers the advantage of leaving the resident in bed. The shower can be done without transfers or displacements. The painful patient is thus more comfortable.

Unlike the complete toilet, the shower in bed reproduces the usual conditions of a toilet:

The water flows over the person's body and gives them a feeling of well-being;

Rinsing and shampooing are easier to achieve.

Care is seen less as a chore by residents, but also by caregivers.

This is because showering in bed is more comfortable for the caregiver. The equipment is space-saving and easy to use. It only takes a few minutes to install. This system, like the OSIRIS in-bed shower offered by Synoxis Medical, offers quality care that is less aggressive and more comfortable for the bedridden person.

Partial toilet in bed

Partial toileting in bed consists of washing the person's face, hands, armpits and genital/perineal area. The resident is not totally dependent. By giving him a basin, soap and water, he is able to partly take care of his personal hygiene. The caregiver does not perform the actions in place of the dependent person.

Toileting at the sink for people with low dependency

Toileting at the elderly person's sink is offered if this care can be considered without risk for the resident. The toilet at the sink stimulates the person who is not very dependent. This act is carried out according to the habits of the elderly person, respecting their modesty throughout the treatment. Helping with the toilet at the sink is also an opportunity to establish a relationship of trust with the patient and to take care of his image. When washing at the sink, the person can follow their usual hygiene ritual. She can thus continue to be aware of her body and the space in which she lives.