Bathing services in care: what to bring and how to prepare a change of clothes

What should we prepare?

When a family member starts using a bathing service at day service or a short-term stay, many families wonder:

• What should we bring?
• What clothes should we prepare?

These are very common questions.

What to bring differs by facility, but here we introduce the things that are generally prepared.

Checking in advance means you can use the service with peace of mind.

A full change of clothes

The first thing needed is a change of clothes for after bathing.

Generally, people prepare:

• Top and bottom
• Underpants
• Undershirt
• Socks

and so on.

Clothes that are easy to change into are reassuring

After bathing, the body is warm and tiredness can set in easily.

That's why choosing "clothes that are easy to change into" is also important.

For example:

• Front-opening tops
• Stretchy clothing
• Roomy trousers

These can reduce the burden not only for the person but also for the carer.

Bath towels and face towels

Generally, people often bring:

• 1–2 bath towels
• 1–2 face towels

These are the usual amounts.

Some facilities provide towels, so it's reassuring to check in advance.

Plastic bags

Prepare plastic bags to bring home the clothes that were worn and wet towels.

Having a few is reassuring.

Incontinence pants and pads

If the person usually uses them, don't forget to bring:

• Disposable incontinence pants
• Absorbent pads

and so on.

The number needed differs by facility, so it's reassuring to check in advance.

Shampoo and body wash

Many facilities provide them, but if you want to use products that suit the person's skin, check whether you can bring your own.

If the person uses moisturisers or similar, prepare them as needed.

Write names on belongings

Because clothes and towels often look alike, we recommend writing names on:

• Clothing
• Underwear
• Towels
• Incontinence products

and so on.

Writing names makes it less likely that belongings get mixed up with other users' things.

At Setagaya Kaigo, we offer a free name service for clothing purchased from us. Please feel free to use it.

Things worth checking with the facility

What to prepare can differ by facility.

Before using the service, it's reassuring to check:

• Whether to bring towels
• Whether shampoo and body wash are provided
• How many changes of clothes are needed
• How many incontinence products to bring
• How names should be written

and so on.

If you're unsure about choosing clothes

• I don't know what clothes to send with them.

We receive many questions like this.

For people who need help, clothing that is:

• Front-opening and easy to change
• Stretchy and easy to move in
• Easy to fasten with large buttons
• Dryer-safe and easy to care for

is often chosen.

Choosing clothing that suits the person's physical condition can reduce the burden not only for the person but also for the carer.

Please feel free to ask us if you're having trouble

• What clothes should we bring to the bathing service?
• I'm looking for clothes that make it easy to receive help.
• The facility asked us to prepare a change of clothes, but I don't know what to choose.

At times like these, please feel free to ask us.

At Setagaya Kaigo, we help choose clothing that is easy to change and easy to care for, to suit the person's physical condition and lifestyle.

*This article introduces general items and clothing. What you need to bring may differ by facility, so please check with the facility in advance.