The equipment you'll need to wash someone's hair, and how often to do it

Before you get started, make sure you have everything you'll need close at hand so you won't have to stop mid-shampoo, leaving him wet and dripping as you rummage around for conditioner or another towel. The more comfortable you can make him about the process, the better.

Useful supplies

A small plastic basket with a handle, available at most drug and household goods stores, makes a perfect bathtime carry-all.

Shampooing essentials include shampoo, conditioner, a brush or wide-toothed comb, and a stack of clean, dry towels in various sizes.

Use a small towel to cover his face if he's sensitive to water. You'll need larger towels to dry him off as soon as you're done, so he won't get chilled. If he's in the tub or shower, you may want to cover his lap and shoulders with large towels for privacy and warmth while you're shampooing.

A plastic cup will help you wet his hair without getting much water on his face (of course, some drips are inevitable). A bath hose works in the same way, although some people find a hose cumbersome for shampooing. Try both and see which you -- and he -- prefer.

The basic shampoo

Once you have the setup in place and your supplies are ready, the rest is pretty straightforward. Squeeze out shampoo, lather it in, and rinse it out.

Shampoo can dry out the hair and scalp, so use just enough to get a lather. Baby shampoos are gentle on the eyes and skin, and rinse out easily.

Even if the small print on the shampoo bottle recommends lathering up twice, it's usually unnecessary. In most cases, one washing should do the trick. If his hair hasn't been cleaned in a long time, you may want to shampoo again.

It's important to rinse out all the suds. Use your hands to feel for stubborn pockets of shampoo that tend to hide in hair.

How often to wash

The idea that hair needs to be washed frequently is more about social custom than medical need. In deciding how often to wash an older adult's hair, first go with his preference. If a shampoo every day or two makes him feel good, this is an excellent reason to stick with tradition.

Otherwise, pay attention to the condition of his hair, including how it smells, and shampoo his hair whenever it seems dirty. If you see scalp irritation, a rash, or persistent dandruff, he should see a doctor.

If he's particularly sensitive to water or resistant to shampooing, wash his hair less often -- once every week or even every two weeks. As long as you're keeping the rest of his body clean, less frequent shampooing is fine. Brush or comb daily to help keep his hair attractive and well groomed.