Knowing how to wash the hair of a bedridden person diminishes the caregiver's work, facilitates the task and increases the comfort and well-being of the patient.
To do this technique requires only one person, but ideally there is another person who can hold the patient's neck during the wash to facilitate the procedure and make the patient more comfortable.
The number of washes per week should ideally be equal to the number of times the person washed their hair before bedtime, at least once a week.
Material needed to wash hair
The person's bedding should be prepared before starting and includes:
- 1 towel;
- Shampoo suitable for the patient's hair;
- 1 bowl with warm water;
- 1 cup or cup;
- 1 plastic bag (optional);
- 1 soft bristle brush or comb.
The plastic bag can be exchanged for a low-pressure bowl, such as an inflatable basin, or Angel Medical, for example, which can be purchased at a medical-hospital equipment store for an average price of 200 reais.
7 steps to wash the hair of the bedridden person
To wash hair the bedridden easily and with little effort:
1. Drag the patient, lying flat on his belly, toward the foot of the bed.
2. Remove the pillow from the head and place it under the patient's back so that the head is slightly tilted back.
3. Place a plastic under the patient's head so as not to wet the mattress, and then put a towel over it.
4. Place the low container or plastic bag under the patient's head.
5. Slowly turn water over the patient's hair with the help of the cup or cup. In this step it is important to use as little water as possible to avoid wetting the mattress, especially when using the bag.
6. Shampoo the hair, massaging the scalp with your fingertips.
7. Rinse the hair to remove the shampoo, remove the bag or container under the head and, with the towel, remove excess water.
Since washing your hair can wet the bed sheets, a good tip is to wash your hair the same time you bathe the patient, avoiding changing the sheets more often than necessary. Learn how to bathe in: How to bathe in a bedridden person.
Care after washing the hair of the bedridden person
After washing the hair should be dried with a dryer, avoiding that it is humid. Also, it is important to comb it to avoid getting embarrassed, preferably using a soft bristled brush to avoid harming the patient.
