Hand Care

• 1). Remind dementia patients to wash their hands frequently, especially before and after eating, after using the restroom or any time when their hands have become dirty. Some dementia patients will need supervision or assistance while washing their hands. Use soap and warm water, then dry the hands completely with a soft cotton towel. Regular hand cleaning decreases the risk of dementia patients becoming sick from germs or bacteria.
  
  
• 2). Apply lotion liberally to the hands and between the fingers. Dementia patients tend to be older, so they usually have delicate skin. Allowing their skin to become dry increases the risk of skin tears, so keep their hands moisturized at all times. Make sure their hands are not be slippery from the lotion, because it will increase the risk of dropping things. After applying lotion, blot the hands with a soft cotton towel to remove excess lotion.
  
  
• 3). Trim fingernails to a short length and file them into smooth, rounded edges. Dementia patients' fingernails may be thin and weak, so it is important to keep them short to avoid breakage and tears. Short fingernails also decrease the risk of accidental skin tears on other parts of the body.
  
  
• 4). Ask patients to wear soft cotton gloves if they are prone to bumping their hands into objects. Although wearing gloves will not prevent bumping into objects, it may prevent injuries to the hands, including skin tears and bruises. You may want to apply gloves to patients who have a habit of picking at the skin, as this could create skin problems and infections. It also may be helpful to apply gloves at night, while patients are sleeping.
  
  
• 5). Cover all skin injuries on the hands to keep them clean and free of further damage. If a patient's skin is too delicate for bandages or surgical tape, consider using an elastic band to cover the injured area.
  
  
• 6). Supervise dementia patients when they are handling any objects that could injure the hands, such as knives and forks during mealtime. To avoid injury, supply patients with dull butter knives and spoons instead. Or ask if you can cut their food for them.