Overview of Personal Care

Standards of cleanliness vary across cultures and between individuals, but some hygiene tasks are vitally important for basic health. Let’s talk about some of the basic pillars of personal care.

Handwashing

Scientific study has firmly established that unwashed hands are a common vector for disease. You should wash your hands thoroughly before eating or handling food, and after contacting bodily fluids or garbage. Instances where you might contact bodily fluids include using the toilet, changing a diaper, blowing your nose, or cleaning a wound.

Thanks to the pandemic, most of us have had the proper technique for handwashing drilled into our heads by now. Just in case you need a refresher: scrub your hands with soap and water for 20 to 30 seconds, making sure to clean between your fingers and under your nails. Rinse with warm water, then dry with a clean towel.

When you don’t have access to running water or soap, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the next best thing. Choose a product that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Bathing

Some people shower every day as a matter of preference, but this is not necessary for health. Showering is not accessible to everyone, and you can meet all your personal care needs without ever using the shower. You can use a sponge with soap and water to spot-clean areas of the body that harbor bacteria, like the underarms and groin. You should also wash your hair at least twice a week to prevent scalp irritation.

If you prefer to shower or bathe in a bathtub, you can make these fixtures more accessible with the addition of a shower or bath chair. You can also use a bath sponge with a long handle to extend your reach.

Dental Hygiene

You can skip bathing for several days without much consequence, but dental hygiene should never be overlooked. Brush your teeth for about 2 minutes at least twice a day, or ideally after each meal. Flossing is also critical for clearing away plaque between teeth. If you have trouble with traditional string floss, you can try a floss pick.

How to Improve Your Habits

If you have fallen behind in your personal care habits, these tips might be helpful:

Set Reminders

Do you often forget to brush and floss your teeth? If so, you can set a reminder on your phone. You can also use your calendar app to schedule times for bathing or washing your hair, to make sure these tasks get done regularly. Over time, you might fall into a routine and no longer need the extra help.

Use Signage

Sometimes all you need is a basic visual cue to help you remember to wash your hands. Try placing a sign (or just a sticky note) near the bathroom or kitchen sink. Your guests might also appreciate the reminder!

Ask for Help

There is never any shame in asking for help. If you have a caregiver, assisting with personal hygiene is an important part of their job. Professional caregivers in particular will not hesitate to help out. Just explain which tasks are difficult for you, and they will find ways to make personal care easier. This might involve hands-on assistance, a specialized approach or tool, or just reminders and encouragement.

Southwest Mobility offers a wide selection of products designed to make personal hygiene more accessible. We welcome customers from Phoenix and Tempe, AZ.