BATHING IN JAPANESE CARE FACILITIES: A SOURCE OF PLEASURE OR STRESS?

摘要

Bathing habits and customs are developed in early childhood, which makes bathing a very personal experience. There is also a strong cultural aspect in bathing. In some cultures bathing is regarded merely as an act of cleaning the body, while in others it is a way of associating with others (Freeman, 1997). In Japan, bath is regarded as the ultimate way of relaxation, and a way of communication with family in the family bathtub in homes, and with others in the large pools of the public bath and natural hot springs, "onsen". Although bathing is usually a pleasant experience, previous western studies suggest that routine bathing in care facilities often underscores the issues of privacy and autonomy and may provoke stress and agitated behavior of elderly with dementia (Sloane et al., 1995; Namazi & Johnson, 1996; Somboontanont et al. 2004). In a study by Namazi and Johnson (1996), 45% of all physical aggression In a nursing home was found to occur during bathing. In another study Miller (1997) found that showering a resident was the activity most likely to provoke physical aggression against caregivers.