How often should a sedentary elderly person bathe

It’s not uncommon for older adults to need assistance washing their hair. And for those who have mobility limitations, it may be necessary to provide that assistance in a bed or wheelchair.

But exactly how often should the elderly wash their hair, and what can be done to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible?

How Often Should the Elderly Wash Hair?

While our hair does collect a bit of dirt each day, the biggest reason why hair needs to be washed regularly is oil.

Elderly not washing hair for a month

Glands on the scalp are constantly producing an oil called sebum to help moisturize your hair. As it’s produced, that oil slowly works its way from the scalp to the ends of your hair, where it continues to accumulate until washed.

However, with the many other changes that come with age, the scalps of older adults don’t produce as much sebum.

Curly and coarse hair are also known to slow down the rate at which it spreads through hair. In short, that means there’s no single washing frequency that works best for everyone.

Generally speaking, older adults may only need to wash their hair

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