Ending the bathing battle
Assisted bathing of older adults with dementia
Assisting with bathing in older adults with dementia is challenging for caregivers. More than 10 years after first conducting a comprehensive systematic review on this topic, a team of authors conducted a new literature search and provided the latest findings in Assisted bathing of older adults with dementia: a mixed methods systematic review update.
The primary aim of the systematic review update was to obtain an increased number of primary studies to improve the confidence/strength of the findings from the previous systematic review published in 2013. The JBI mixed methods methodology was used, and, specifically, the convergent segregated approach.
Updated database searching and hand-searching identified seven new eligible quantitative and qualitative studies. New interventions were found that did not appear in the previous systematic review. Focusing on ways to alter the physical and sensory environment were relatively new approaches. For example, use of preferred music for older adults with dementia was addressed in the previous systematic review, but the involvement of a music therapist in assisted bathing was a new, innovative approach. Furthermore, these studies may indicate the future direction of dementia care.
The results from both the quantitative and qualitative components were integrated into the final version of this systematic review update. Integrated findings can help inform an evidence-based strategy utilising a person-centred bathing approach to reduce agitated behaviours in older adults with dementia.
Integrated evidence from both quantitative and qualitative components of the review update encourage the promotion of the person-centred bathing training for caregivers, which is consistent with the overall results from the previous systematic review. Moreover, commitment from aged care providers is required regarding training opportunities for caregivers, specifically to learn the necessary skills to carry out successful bathing and flexible time allocation for bathing residents.
To accompany the review, the authors discuss the findings in an editorial, Ending the battle of bathing for people with dementia, and explain their decision to use a mixed methods approach.
A Best Practice Information Sheet is also available for this review. Best Practice Information Sheets are one of the resources available in the JBI EBP Database and summaries of a JBI Systematic Review that include infographics and recommendations for practice.