Are Alzheimer’s patients afraid of water?

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that results in dementia. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for the majority of dementia cases that are diagnosed. While Alzheimer’s may not appear until later in life for most people, the disease is at work in the brain long before symptoms appear. At present, there are no treatments to stop, slow, or cure Alzheimer’s, although some preventative measures are recommended.

Prevention involves following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining adequate sleep schedules and quality, and managing stress. The earliest signs of the condition are memory lapses that are subtle at first and may only be noticed by the patient or very close family members. Over time, planning and organizing skills are affected, along with decision making, the ability to manage finances, and the ability to care for oneself. In its final stage, communication, walking, and eating can be affected.

The condition doesn’t predispose a person to a fear of water, but other considerations regarding water and hygiene may be symptom and age-based. Alzheimer’s is not the same as normal signs of aging, but as people age, their skin may become more sensitive to temperatures, which Alzheimer’s patients may experience. This may make bathing or showers uncomfortable and should be considered.

Losing the ability to care for oneself safely or remember to follow personal hygiene practices can be frustrating and frightening. Bathing and showering are personal and intimate tasks that Alzheimer’s patients – or indeed, anyone might be hesitant to allow assistance with. Alzheimer’s disease can also impact depth perception, making it frightening to step into a tub of water. If someone finds bathing scary, unpleasant, unfamiliar, or uncomfortable, they may naturally communicate their discomfort and resist attempts to bathe.

Make encounters with water via bath time as easy as possible by organizing bath supplies, including large towels or a robe for warmth and modesty, using a bench or chair for the bath, installing handrails and other safety features, monitoring water temperature, and padding chairs and surfaces the patient may use to make them as comfortable as possible. Providing the person with options, like allowing them to do as much of their hygienic care alone as is safe and possible, letting them determine the levels and temperature of the water, and listening to requests like someone asking for a particular person’s help in bathing, or relaxing music during the process.

If you are a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, contact the Alzheimer’s Association helpline 24/7 to provide support and helpful information at 1-800-272-3900.