I'd just explain that you washed your hands beforehand and so they aren't necessary but that if it would make her more comfortable you can put on a pair.
The gloves aren't for the patient's protection, unless they are sterile, which is not applicable in this case. Nonsterile gloves are for the healthcare provider's protection and are only appropriate when contact with potentially infectious material (i.e. blood, urine, feces, saliva, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, you get the picture) is anticipated.
Handwashing is for the patient's and healthcare provider's protection. It needs to be done before and after patient contact whether wearing gloves or not wearing gloves.
As far as addressing inconsistency in practice among healthcare providers? What can I say? Clearly, not everyone really "gets" just what personal protective equipment (ppe) is for and what type is appropriate for what circumstances. Some will overuse ppe and some will underuse it. And bottom line, proper handwashing is essential with and without it. When you see ppe improperly used or not used when it should be, you should address it. The appropriate way to deal with it will depend on the particular circumstances, but it should not be ignored. Bad practice results in wasted resources at best and illness, suffering, and death at worst.
If you are unsure of what is appropriate, use common sense. If you are helping someone put on socks and shoes, you don't need to wear gloves unless they have a break in their skin with the potential exposure to blood, wound exudate, etc. If you are helping someone with underwear, yes, wear gloves. Bra? No gloves, unless they are lactating or again have skin breakdown. Hopefully you get the picture.
Some patients have special contact precautions such as if they are infected by or have colonized a type of bacteria that is resistant to first line antibiotics, or if they have shingles, or clostridium difficile which produce hardcore resistant spores, for example. In these cases, you would need to protect yourself from contact with any surfaces, bodily or otherwise that could be contaminated with said microbes. This means wearing a disposable gown over your clothes in addition to gloves. If these microbes have the potential to be spread by cough/sneeze droplet, then you need to also wear a mask. If your patient is the spitting type, or there are other splash potentials, wear goggles or a face shield with your mask. If this microbe can be spread by airborne nuclei (such as TB), you need a properly fitted N95 mask.
I hope this helps.
