What may be causing this
- Feeling cold or exposed
- Fear of falling or of water
- Not recognizing the need to bathe
- Pain with movement
- Loss of privacy
What to try first
- Warm the room and have towels ready first
- Use a handheld shower head and shower chair
- Keep the person covered with a towel throughout
- Try the time of day they historically bathed
- Consider a sponge bath instead
What usually makes it worse
- Arguing about hygiene
- Cold rooms and sudden water spray
- Rushing
- Too many helpers in the room
Simple things you can do today
- Install grab bars and a nonslip mat
- Reduce frequency to what is medically necessary
- Prepare everything before starting
When to call the doctor
- Refusal leads to skin breakdown or infection
- There are signs of pain during movement
- The resistance is new and out of character
When it may be an emergency
- Threats or acts of violence toward self or others
- Sudden confusion, weakness, slurred speech, or facial droop
- A fall with head injury, especially on a blood thinner
Medically reviewed. Last reviewed August 2026. This page is educational information, not individualized medical advice.