How to Wash Elderly Hair in Bed

There is something about having freshly washed hair and brushed teeth that just makes a person feel clean and ready to take on the day. This is no less true for seniors than it is for adults heading to work or running errands. But what happens when our senior loved ones become bedridden? How do you wash a bedridden person’s hair so they can still feel clean and healthy?

Hair washing is important as it helps prevent itchiness and redness on the scalp. Leaving hair dirty for too long, especially if it is resting against a pillow or the back of a chair, can even cause hair loss and bald patches, something no one wants. Hair should be washed at least once per week. Washing hair while bedridden isn’t the easiest task, but it is necessary. 

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How to Wash a Bedridden Person’s Hair

There are a few different methods when it comes to hair washing for bedridden seniors.

The first method for bedridden hair washing is using a portable or inflatable shampoo basin. These shampoo basins look like the sinks you find in a hair salon. They are light and easy to move around and store when you are not using them. Your senior loved one can lay back with their hair in the basin which can be filled with water for shampooing and rinsing. 

A water-free method used to wash hair of the bedridden person is a shampoo cap. A shampoo cap does not require any rinsing. Simply fill the cap with the senior’s favorite shampoo, place the cap on the head and massage the hair. When done, use a towel to remove the shampoo from the hair.

Similarly, a no-rinse shampoo – one that does not require a cap – can be massaged into the hair and then wiped out with a towel. It won’t feel quite as clean as shampooing with water, but it is a useful option when the head cannot be soaked in water due to a wound or surgery.

Dry shampoo may be another great option for your loved one. You spray it onto the roots of the hair where you see the most oil and then massage it in. Dry shampoo is probably the least expensive option, but it can lead to a buildup of white residue and it is not meant to long-term use. 

A tilting commode is another option when trying to determine how to wash the hair of a bedridden person. A tilting commode lets the senior safely sit down and then lean back over a sink or a shower. Tilting commodes are waterproof and can go right inside the shower, and it will keep your loved one safe and secure; however, tilting commodes are the most expensive option on the list. 

The final method for bedridden hair washing is the tried and true flannel and water. Simply wet a piece of flannel and add a small amount of shampoo or conditioner. Rub the flannel onto the hair then rinse the flannel until all the shampoo is out. This is a helpful option if your loved one doesn’t want any water on their head. 

Being a caregiver is difficult and reading this list may make you feel overwhelmed. Remember you can get assistance for this and other personal hygiene tasks for which your loved one requires assistance. There are many types of care services that can help your loved one stay independent in their own homes or assist them in your home so you can balance caring for them with other aspects of your life. Don’t be afraid to look for assistance when caregiver tasks start to become too much. 

To learn about our home care services, contact our caregiving team today at 1-800-GRISWOLD or find a Caregiver near you.