Helping someone to wash: Information for carers

Here are some simple steps to support someone who is unwell to use the bath or shower.

Encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves, and let them take their time.

You could also:

  • check the bathroom is warm
  • check the bath or shower water is at a comfortable temperature
  • make sure they have everything they need: towels, clean clothes, toiletries, flannels, shaving supplies, and disposable wipes and pads if they use them
  • put a non-slip mat on the bottom of the bath or shower to help stop them from falling
  • stay within hearing distance in case they need you
Bathing or showering with a syringe driver

If someone has a syringe driver in place ( a small pump that gives medicines directly to them in a tube) they can have a shower or bath. But the syringe driver is not waterproof, so they will need to take care to keep it dry - they could put it in a plastic bag on a stool next to the bath or shower cubicle. Try and keep the clear dressing clean and dry but a nurse can also change it when needed.

Please see also:

Giving someone a bed bath

Moving someone in and out of bed

Recommended Resources

Marie Curie - Helping someone to wash

Published 24th November 2022

Share

Related Services

Adult social care services

Adult Social Care
Close

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea.

These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Brent
Close

Adult Social Care Brent

T. 020 8937 4300

W. https://www.brent.gov.uk/adult-social-care/about-adult-social-care

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Ealing
Close

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Hammersmith and Fulham
Close

Adult Social Care Hammersmith and Fulham

T. 0800 145 6095

W. https://beta.lbhf.gov.uk/living-independently/contact-adult-social-care

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Harrow
Close

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Hillingdon
Close

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Hounslow
Close

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Care co-ordination service Ealing
Close

The Ealing Care Co-ordination service offers bespoke support to patients with complex needs who are supported by a variety of services. They can help to align care for patients and support services to come together to aid cohesion in care and improve patient understanding.

Community Independence Service
Close

The Community Independence Service (CIS) is an intermediate person-centred service providing advanced short-term nursing care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and social care to people with immediate health issues or needs which affects their mobility or day-to-day activities. The aim is to provide safe clinical care at home that could help to avoid unplanned hospital admission or returning to hospital after a recent discharge.

The service is available seven days a week from 8am to 10pm for adults over the age of 18.

Related Articles

18th April 2024

Giving someone a bed bath

26th October 2023

Moving someone in and out of bed

Feedback