My Mom grew up on a farm and they had no indoor plumbing when she was a child. The only thing I can come up with is that she used a pot next to the bed at night time. Lately at night I have found that she is using the trash can to go to the bathroom. Has anyone else had this problem? I don't know if I should say something to her or just let it go, I know she has no idea or can't believe she does she use to be so clean and its not that she is not clean now but doing very odd things such as this. Do I just clean it up and let it go or do I try and discuss this with her. I just wonder if it will do any good to say anything. I have had issues with her bathing and when I tell her she has not taken a bath in a few days she will argue with me and tell me I have no idea what she does and that she took a bath yesterday when I know she did not.
The bathing issue is much of the same. You won't convince her that she's not bathing. But, what I did was just stop talking about it. I would just run the water, lather the wash cloth and hand it to her, saying, when you're finished bathing, we are going to have the must fun, listening to music, going for a ride, having ice cream, etc. I didn't discuss it or give any option. It's tough, but works sometimes. There are a lot of threads on this site about the refusal to bathe issue. You can get many tips that might help, such as hiring a bath aid. Sadly, it's a tough issue.