Individual To Maintain Personal Hygiene

1.1 Explain why personal hygiene is important
It is important to have good personal hygiene because people feel better if they are clean and of good appearance. If a person feels good about themselves they will enjoy life more. It lifts their self-esteem and self-respect. If good personal hygiene practices are followed then there is less chance of infections developing.

1.2 Describe the effects of poor personal hygiene on health and well-being Poor hygiene can cause unpleasant smells, skin complaints, bacterial or parasitic infections that could lead to long term health problems. Also poor personal hygiene may lead to low self-esteem, low confidence. Due to this people could be shunned making them feel isolated and depressed. Poor oral hygiene could lead to bad breath and tooth loss.

2 Know how to encourage an individual to maintain personal hygiene

2.1 Explain how to address personal hygiene issues with an individual in a sensitive manner without imposing own values You should always remember to give the person a choice if they want a wash/bath/shower. Let them know why it is important to maintain personal hygiene. Ask them if they have any preferences as to which products they would like to use. Ask them when they would like their bath/shower. When you are assisting them to wash ask them if they would like to wash themselves or if they need any assistance. Always explain what you are doing at the time like I am going to wash your face and hands. Don’t just push the face cloth into their face think how you would feel if someone did that to you. As you are assisting them tell them why and how they may feel after they have a wash.

2.2 Describe how to make an individual aware of the effects of poor hygiene on others It is important to that you explain to people why personal hygiene is important. Explain to them why you should wash your hands after using the toilet. This is to prevent bacteria getting on to their food and other places. If a person has body odour it is not pleasant for other people to be sat next to them. I would take the person to their room and have a chat with them. Ask if they are ok and explain to them as tactful as possible about their odour. Tell them the effects it has on other people and ask if they would like to have a wash or a bath and change their clothes. Offer assistance if needed. We all know what it is like to be close to someone who has bad body odour. Personally it makes me feel sick. It is better to talk to a person about their personal hygiene rather than let them be ridiculed by others.

2.3 Describe how to support an individual to develop and improve personal hygiene routines While you are assisting a person to do personal hygiene you should talk to them and tell them why it is important to wash and change clothes. Let them pick out some nice toiletries if possible. If they have a routine try to keep to that as much as possible. I will ask them if they would like to wash their face and hands ensuring that they pay attention to ends of fingers and nails. I always give them encouragement to try to do things for themselves. Often I have to wash their bottom half so I would explain what I am doing at all times. Encourage them to let me have their dentures to be cleaned. If they are able to I ask them to go to the sink and brush their teeth themselves, it gives them a sense of achievement when then have done things for themselves.

3 Know how to support an individual to maintain personal hygiene

3.1 Identify factors that contribute to good personal hygiene Washing daily,
Bathing regularly
Washing hands properly after using toilet and at other times Wearing clean clothes
Use of deodorant/antiperspirant
Brushing teeth/ cleaning dentures regularly
Keeping hair clean and tidy
Clean nails
By doing about regularly it should help to prevent a person from having any problems with their hygiene.

3.2 Explain how to support the preferences and needs of the individual while maintaining their independence. Always give them a choice if they want a bath or just a wash or a shower. Check their care and support plan to ensure that you are following their wishes. Read any risks assessments that may be in place. Hand rails and bath chairs in place to aid them. Ask them if they would like any particular toiletries to use. Talk to them and enquire as to what they want you to do. Encourage them to do as much for themselves as possible. This could be removing clothing or washing their hands and face and upper body. If possible let them chose what they would like to wear. Encourage them to brush their teeth and it they can their hair.

3.3 Describe how to maintain dignity of an individual when supporting intimate personal hygiene Make sure you are in a place where they feel comfortable, bedroom, bathroom or toilet. Talk to them and find out what kind of assistance they require. Read the care plan to ensure that you know yourself what assistance they may require… Ensure that you have everything you require before you start like towels, soap, toothpaste and brush, clothes laid out, their choice if possible, pads if needed and don’t forget gloves for yourself and apron if required. You do this so that once you have started you will not have to leave the person alone which could cause them distress. Close the door for privacy but let others know where you are. If it is necessary you might require two staff in certain situations, Talk to the person you are assisting, tell them what you are doing every step of the way. Cover them with a towel to save them for becoming embarrassed. Listen to what they have to say and do what they request.

3.4 Describe risks to own health in supporting personal hygiene routines The risk to your own health could be crossed contamination, challenging behaviour or communication difficulties. That is why you are advised to wear gloves and aprons and masks if necessary. Manual handling, transferring and use of hoists, by yourself and another member of staff, making sure that you follow procedures correctly. Care when moving someone so that you do not injury yourself i.e.: back injury, sprains

3.5 Describe how to reduce risks to own health.
Wash hands thoroughly before you start to give assistance. Wear gloves, aprons and masks if necessary. Change gloves and aprons every time you assist a different person. Use equipment by following the proper procedures and training you has been given. Put soiled items into red bags before putting into laundry.

3.6 Identify others that may be involved in supporting an individual to maintain personal hygiene A person who needs assistance with personal hygiene may be supported by family and close friends, other health care professionals, and carers.

4 Understand when poor hygiene may be an indicator of other underlying personal issues

4.1 Identify underlying personal issues that may be a cause of poor personal hygiene There are quite a few things that may make a person have poor personal hygiene like diminished mental capacity, drug abuse, and alcoholism, lack of money or facilities. This could lead to them not using soap, shampoo, deodorant, not changing clothes and no dental hygiene.

4.2 Describe how underlying personal issues might be addressed This could be that a person does not wish to expose a certain part of their body like their private parts. This could be cultural or their own personal preference. So you would have to remember this when assisting them and work with them to find a way to solve this issue. It would be that a woman does not want a man to assist her and vice versa. They could have their own set routine and prefer to do it their way, so you would again need to come to a compromise. On the other hand the person could have dementia which means they could become confused. Talking to them and giving them assurances while you are assisting them may help. Another issue could be communication; they may speak another language or find it hard to communicate their wishes to you. Again you should find a way to communicate with the person either with cards or signs.