My sister nursed extended care for 20 years and she commented it seemed universal, her Alzheimer’s patients feared to be bathed. One thing she did is hold a facecloth over the shower head so it was less scary. Thanks, Shirl. I’ll try that next fight, I mean bath:)
Hope a couple tips help you folks -
I give him the choice of now or after supper (or whatever)
I run the water and talk up a storm to try to keep him “occupied”
I tell him to strip and give him his robe to put on before the bath – seems to help for whatever reason.
I hand him his towels and facecloths to reinforce the “event”:)
I run a ceramic space heater and leave the fan off so it’s very comfy. If you run cold water in the tub first, it doesn’t steam up the room.
I put the shampoo in my wet hands and just start rubbing his hair
I run the blow dryer over his body after we towel off as his complaint is,”I don’t like getting wet.”
Then I dress him in a nice T shirt and flannel PJ bottoms so he’s more comfortable.
***Actually, one day I asked him why he hates his bath so much – he answered he doesn’t like getting wet. So, how do you reply to that? Then he laughed and asked if he could be dry cleaned!
He used to always shower but now I find it’s easier for me to help if he is sitting – can’t get away – and his feet and nails get soaked well.
As usual, thanks for listening.
9 Comments
He still has a sense of humor, doesn’t he.
Very much – he always was fun all our lives. I guess because humor is part of his memory past, he still retains it. That is also why people question his status – he presents very well.
My Dad had a fear of getting into the tub – the transfer from the wheelchair is tricky. He would sit in the shower, holding onto the rails with a death grip and getting him to relax was the most difficult part.
So he would rather be dry cleaned, ey? What a cut-up!
When you said he presents very well, I understand. My Dad didn’t remember my mother while sitting at her funeral reception but he spoke to his nephew as if he saw him the previous day. My Dad asked him if he was near retirement from the police force yet. I was completely shocked that he asked that question and actually remembered his nephew being a cop. He presented very well that day.
Mary, that is why certain people don’t believe he has Alz. – “it’s just old age” Our doc. said you don’t have to convince anyone- good point.
Hi Jean,
Mary told me about your journal and I am so impressed! You are a brave woman and so very gracious.
I am learning from you.
Thank you.
I bet he presents and looks very good!Your excellent care makes all the difference. Your doctor is a wise man.
My mother had Alz. I watched and loved her as she slowly forgot…
Sherry
I’m so sorry for you that you lost your Mom to Alzheimer’s,Sherry. It’s not a journey one would care to take but if not us, who then? I am one of the luckier spouses as my Man is very mellow and humorous. Most are not according to what I hear.Love to you and everyone who reads or lives it:)
Jean–as you might expect, my MIL also hated baths. Too many options, I think. Too many steps. Since decision making is almost impossible for Alzheimer’s patients, your steps of limiting the choices really helps.
We (those of us without Alzheimer’s) don’t even realize how many choices there are in taking a bath.
When my MIL was living w/us, she dreaded bath time — it took quite some time to find a “do-able” way to bathe her. We learned that she was ok if she could keep some clothes on — we finally got it down to a t-shirt and underclothing — it became her “bath clothes” — which may sound funny, but was such a relief because as long as she could have those clothes on, we could get her in the bath with less of a struggle. It is a heartache…I think about you every day with this. I pray that you will find good ways to adapt to the changes and adjustments daily to make things easier for both of you. Hugs!
Brilliant idea, Trish. See, that’s why I need this blog:)
Thanks to all of you who give suggestions.