Grooming: Tips, Equipment and Techniques
This Fact Sheet accompanies the Grooming class in the Techniques for Everyday Tasks classroom.
Problems with grooming may be caused by:
- Forgetting that it is time to comb hair, brush teeth etc.
- Loss of understanding how to comb hair, brush teeth etc.
- Inability to recognize parts of the body
- Distractions from people, clutter or noise
- Lack of privacy
- Poor lighting
Physical aspects of grooming
- Encourage person to do as much of the grooming activities as possible
- Keep hair in an easy to care for style
- Know the person’s preference for shaving with electric razor or hand razor
- Encourage female person to use some make-up if this was important to her
- Encourage the person to clip or cut their nails twice a months
- Encourage the person to brush their teeth at least twice a day
- For denture wearers, encourage soaking teeth at night
Environmental aspects of grooming
- Have room at a comfortable temperature for grooming
- Make sure there is privacy
- Make sure the environment is calm without distractions
- Make sure everything is ready to use (comb, toothbrush etc)
Tips to increase or maintain cooperation with grooming
- Have the same grooming routine every day
- Allow enough time for grooming activities
- Talk with a calm voice
- Lay out grooming supplies
- Lay combs, brushes etc. in clear view
- Use short and simple instructions
- Give verbal or visual cues with grooming
- Use a pantomime technique with grooming
- Don’t force a person to comb hair, brush teeth etc.
- Try distracting the person if there is resistance