My grandmother is 90 years old. My mother is a nurse & she is the one responsible for giving her a bath. The last time my grandmother had a bath was approx. 1-2 months ago because she hates getting a bath & puts up a fuss every time. My mother deals with it by letting her go & getting her own way, instead of putting her foot down & setting the standards whether she likes it or not, is this the right way of handling the situation? Also, is 1-2 months without a bath acceptable, when her hair is greasy & she looks dirty?
The fear of falling
The loud noise from the water rushing all around you
All the steps that need to be done, get wet, pick up soap, lather, wash, rinse, do your hair, dry off, get dressed....it can be exhausting thinking about all that needs to be done all while trying not to fall or slip.
Shower chairs help. A bench or seat with a back.
Turn her so that she is NOT facing the water. I was told by a PT years ago that the head and chest are "vulnerable" areas and to wet those last. (what is the first thing that gets wet when you shower?...head and chest!)
I also found that turning off the water between getting wet and rinsing helped as it was more quiet in the bathroom. Talk in a quiet voice, and try to bring the voice to a slightly deeper tone so it does not sound harsh. I used to almost whisper and I would tell my husband everything I was doing...I am going to soap your back, I am going to do your arms now....it did help.
Keeping him seated for as long as possible while drying and putting socks and shoes on before he stood up helped.
I will admit I had it easy I had a barrier free shower we used and I also had a shower wheelchair that made showering much easier for both of us.
Last resort...sponge baths and no rinse body soaps will do the job. Just make sure that when you are bathing her in bed that you wash and dry fully you do not want damp areas left.
Look up the youtube video by Teepa Snow on bathing elders. She has some good tips, too.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a sponge bath, You don't HAVE to give your loved one a shower or bath. There are ways of hair washing even in bed, or if the patient can go out a weekly or even biweekly visit to a beauty salon is in order. Once a week is fine as long as you "top and tail"daily. Letting the genital area remain unclean leads to UTIs again a disposable cloth is fine. Also under the breasts especially with a large woman as thrush loves to lurk there and any heavy skin folds.
What I did find that works is a sponge bath using Norwex wash cloths. I purchased their body cloths to give that a try and it works great. There is no soap and these cloths also exfoliate which has helped tremendously with all the dead skin just falling off mom all the time. You just use warm water and clean away. I started using the product myself and love it!! Soap has always been a big irritant for my skin and I know it dries out my mom's skin as well. She recently has been turned off to the use of lotion. No explanation, just is what it is. :) I will purchasing another 3 pack so that mom can have one and the other person (myself or the aide) can have one. That way mom is participating if she wants. Good Luck. Take care of yourself.
See All Answers