How AlestaCare approaches bathing, dressing, and grooming with respect and compassion.
Personal Care Is Personal
It happens very frequently. We begin working with a new client and are told, often by a family member, “Just so you know, Mom is really private about this.” Or, “Dad can’t stand that he needs help doing anything, much less bathing.”
I get it, that reaction makes complete sense. Being bathed, dressed, or groomed by someone else is one of the most vulnerable things a person can experience, especially if they’ve always taken care of themselves. A caregiver should not just approach it as just another task to check off a list. It’s a moment that either respects someone’s dignity or chips away at it. At AlestaCare, we train our caregivers with that in mind.
Dignity Comes First
Recognizing and offering dignity means adjusting to how each person wants things done, not the other way around. Some clients want to do as much as they can themselves, even if it takes longer. That’s fine, because we need to move at their pace, not ours. Nobody should be rushed through a shower so we can move on to the next task on a schedule.
The Small Stuff Matters
We’ve had clients who’ve used the same brand of shaving cream for decades, or who’ve showered at 6am every day since they retired. Little details like that aren’t trivial, they’re part of who someone is. When we build a care plan for a client, we are looking to build in their habits.
Familiar Faces, Not Strangers
This kind of trust doesn’t happen with a different caregiver walking through the door every week. That’s why we work hard to keep the same caregiver with the same client over time. Trust with something this personal takes time to build, and it’s worth protecting once it’s there.
We would love the opportunity to earn your trust when you are ready.
Ready to talk through what you’re seeing? Call AlestaCare at (843) 800-2332 or schedule a free consultation at alestacare.com. We’re here when you’re ready.
Are you a care professional or community connector? If you work with seniors or families in the Charleston area, we’d welcome the opportunity to introduce ourselves. AlestaCare accepts referrals from physicians, discharge planners, social workers, senior living communities, and community organizations, among others. Call us or contact us to start a relationship.