Personal Hygiene and Grooming

This category of basic ADLs includes the following:

1. Grooming:
   Grooming involves make yourself look good and feeling good about your appearance. The primary areas of grooming are:
   • Hair care – cutting, washing, brushing, combing and styling hair;
   • Nail care – cutting, trimming, filing, and cleaning;
   • Skin care – eating properly, cleaning, moisturizing, sore care;
   • Shaving – reaching and shaving where necessary, and cleaning up;
   • Oral care – keeping teeth, gums, and dentures clean;
   • Make-up – applying and removing make-up,; and
   • Apparel – selecting and wearing clean and presentable clothing.
2. Hygiene:
   Personal Hygiene involves keeping body parts clean and odor-free. This practice includes bathing, washing your hands, brushing your teeth, and more. The primary areas of hygiene are: :
   • Incontinence hygiene – regularly removing soiled shields, pads, and undergarments, properly disposing of items or putting them in the wash, cleaning genital areas, putting on new clean shields, pad, and/or undergarment, and washing hands thoroughly afterwards.
   • Toilet hygiene – Washing hands thoroughly after using the restroom to help prevent the spread of sickness causing germs.
   • Bath and shower hygiene – Regularly bathing and showering with soap to rinse away dead skin cells, bacteria, and oils. Regularly washing hair and scalp with shampoo to help remove skin buildup and protect against oily residues that can irritate skin.
   • Nail hygiene – Regularly trimming nails to keep them short. Brushing under nails with a nail brush or washcloth to rinse away buildup, dirt, and germs to prevent spreading germs into your mouth and other body openings. Avoid biting your nails.
   • Oral hygiene – Caring for teeth and gums helps to to prevent gum diseases and cavities. Brushing at least twice a day for 2 minutes, after waking up and before bed. Also brushing after every meal, and flossing between teeth daily. Using an antibacterial mouthwash. These two steps can help prevent tooth decay and eliminate pockets where bacteria and germs can build up.
   • Sickness hygiene – Taking steps to keep from spreading germs to others, including covering mouth and nose when sneezing, wiping down shared surfaces with an antibacterial wipe, not sharing any utensils or electronics, and immediately throwing away any soiled tissues.
   • Hands hygiene – Washing hands to prevent germs on hands from entering your body through your mouth, nose, eyes, or ears:
     • When handling food;
     • Before eating;
     • After handling garbage;
     • After sneezing
     • Subsequent to touching an animal
     • After changing a baby’s diaper
     • After helping someone clean themselves
     • When cleaning a cut or wound.

Below is a sampling of products and equipment that are designed to help you to complete grooming and personal hygiene tasks for a longer period of time. Click on the links to find out more information, see other products selections, and if you like, to make a purchase from one of our providers.

1. Primary grooming products include:
   • Hair brushes and combs
   • Shaving implements and blades
   • Nail clippers and other nail care tools
   • Tooth brushes, paste, dental floss
   • Make-up and makeup removal products
2. Primary hygiene products include:
   • Adults incontinence products, such as pads, shields and liners
   • Reusable or disposable waterproof bed pads
   • Incontinence rash spray
   • Long-handled wiping aids for after use of the toilet
   • Long handled shower brushes
   • No rinse bathing wipes
   • No-rinse shampoo caps
   • Nail clippers and other nail care tools
   • Denture Adhesive
   • Long-handled hair brushes