Proclamation 5847 signed by President Ronald Reagan on August 19, 1988, marks August 21 each year as National Senior Citizens Day. On this day, we commemorate all the contributions made by senior citizens to society. We also recognize their achievements in their fields of excellence and the invaluable assistance they have given to their families.

However, our appreciation and care for our beloved senior citizens should not only be a one-day event. It should be a daily celebration of their passion and commitment in caring for and raising their families and society, as well as their numerous contributions in the workplace throughout their careers. For families who have a senior citizen, it is crucial that they value their elderly members by caring for and assisting them in their daily living activities. This includes eating and personal hygiene.

Since their energy and vigor is not the same as it was 30 years ago, specific hygiene products and special care should be used. This will help them get the care they need while maintaining their dignity as a person.

Here are some essential hygiene products that can help you care for your elderly loved one:

Incontinence Underwear
One of the most common hygiene products for elderly care is incontinence underwear. Since seniors may have to wear them for quite a while, family members need to consider the quality, reliability, and comfort of adult diapers.

Other things to consider in buying adult diapers include their absorptive capacity as well as odor control. In addition, these diapers should have leak barriers to prevent unwanted side leaks. Adult diaper buyers should also take into consideration the comfort and fit of the diaper for its user. This way, rashes, sores, and any unwanted problems can be avoided.

Waterproof Bed Pad
Waterproof bed pads ensure the bed stays dry and free from any accidents. These bed pads function like a sheet cover that absorbs any liquid and keeps the bed dry. The pads come in two types: reusable and disposable. Reusable bed pads are more expensive than disposable. However, since they can be used multiple times, they tend to be the more economical and least wasteful option

No-Rinse Wet Wipes
We all have experienced moments where we struggle to get in the shower. In some cases, the elderly also experience this problem, often post-surgery or due to fear of slipping in the shower. Fortunately, there are a lot of products out there that can help our seniors in this dilemma.

One good bath aid is no-rinse wet wipes. These are big wipes enriched with moisture that you don’t need to soak or rinse with water. The user just needs to wipe their body. This works well in keeping them feeling fresh and clean without having to take a bath.

A senior using regular wipes will need approximately eight sheets to clean their entire body. This is costly in the long run as one pack of wipes will be used every cleaning session. However, durable camping and survival wet wipes like Surviveware’s Biodegradable Wet Wipes can clean the whole body using just one sheet. The Surviveware wipes are 30% larger than regular wipes which makes them ideal to wipe off dirt and grime and clean any accidents. Also, they are also scent-free and hypoallergenic, so elders and caregivers don’t need to worry about getting rashes and allergies. You can purchase these convenient and easy-to-use wipes from here.

Rash Spray
Sometimes elders develop a rash from using diapers or pads. Having a rash spray or cream can help protect them from diaper rash, or alleviate the rash should it occur.

No-Rinse Shampoo Caps
Like the no-rinse wet wipes, these shampoo caps do the same thing- clean a person’s hair without having to rinse it or get in the shower. These caps have dry shampoo and conditioner in them. The person just needs to place it over his or her head and massage it until the hair becomes saturated. This can help keep the hair clean and fresh. In case the hair is filthy, the senior or his or her caregiver needs to remove first any foreign material in the hair. Once the hair is free from debris, the shower cap can be used. However, the user needs to massage it longer than usual to ensure the hair is thoroughly cleaned.

Our seniors are living proof of the history that has occurred in our own communities. Hence, we need to respect them as valuable contributors. They deserve to get only the best care and assistance from their loved ones. This National Senior Citizens Day, give your beloved senior a hug or a kiss. Tell them how much you love them.

Happy National Senior Citizens Day from all of us at Surviveware!