Grooming help for cats who can't reach their backs

I have a question about Olive. She is a 7-year-old Ragdoll with hypothyroidism and she is getting really bad at cleaning her back end. Because of the condition, she is a bit lethargic and her coat is getting matted up in the hindquarters. I know we have to keep her clean to prevent skin issues, but I am not sure of the best way to help her groom herself without stressing her out. Does anyone have a routine that works for a cat who just can't reach?

This comes up a lot here. I would check out the pinned thread Grooming help for cats who can't reach their backs which has a lot of good tips. For my cats, Shadow and Sunny, I find that short sessions are better. Shadow is very shy, so I just brush the area for two minutes while she eats treats. If you go for too long, they get stressed. I also use a slicker brush instead of a regular one for the mats. It helps pull out the tangles without pulling the skin.

Agree with @RiverPrairie. Keep it short. If the mats are severe, do not just pull them. Use a mat splitter or thin them out. See this thread What to do when a cat gets matted for how to do that safely. Also, make sure you are checking her joints. Hypothyroidism can sometimes overlap with other issues in older cats. If she is in pain when you move her legs, that is a different problem. See Helping senior cats with stiff joints for signs of arthritis. If she seems in pain, call the vet today.

I use a little bit of baby wipe on my finger for the really dirty spots. Works for Luna when she gets too wiggly for a brush. Just make sure the wipes do not have alcohol or fragrance. Also, check out this thread Dealing with a shy cat during handling if your cat is stressed out by the process. Olive sounds like she might be sensitive since she is a Ragdoll.