Why An Older Adult’s Bathing Less Often Could Signal Healthy Self-Care
Dear Carol: Why do people get less inclined to bathe or shower daily as they get older? My dad, who used to shower religiously every morning, is much less inclined now that he’s in his 70s. He doesn’t smell bad, but I’ve read about how older people get so they fight bathing later in life, so I’m worried that this will get worse. I don’t want to jump ahead of people with serious questions, but I really want to know. My internet search gives me all kinds of random answers, from saying it isn’t a problem to it’s the start of dementia. What is your take? – DA
Dear DA: You are sweet to be proactive and concerned about your dad, but this seems to be a case of too much information from people who feel the need to make a point, while skipping nuance. I’ll start by saying that it’s likely that you have nothing to worry about. Some of what you read may be driven by ageist stereotypes and clickbait, but some of it can be based on truth. While your dad is doing fine, this may be a red flag for others. Is the…
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