I'm having problems getting him out of bed first thing in the morning. Any ideas for lifting?

Thank you bookluvr you are a fountain of information which is much appreciated. Should have just contacted you first and saved myself a lot of time!

Hi Reverseroles- the wash we use is Aveeno which comes in a lavender scent and another one with a green cap. Both very gentle and mild, and what I use since we have allergies and eczema that flares up if strong drying soaps are used. Aveeno cream afterward, all over. I find most of those other products too harsh, no matter what they say on the label.

Thanks Momcare, do you use that for her front (peri care) areas also? I use dove soap now as I myself just had my 1st UTI and my gyno said Dove unscented only for me. I used to use summers eve and vagisil powder for years, now they say nothing scented, hummm? Is the aveeno rinse free? How do you rinse in bed? I use a squirt bottle and soak the bed/chux when I try bed baths. Thanks

my father was released on Saturday from medical rehabiliation. they had used a belt that was strapped (comfortably) across his chest which is sooo helpful in lifting him. they did not send one home so Mom took one of his old belts (he has lost some weight) and buckled it comfortably and loosely around his chest/ upper waist and it was awesome till we got the real belt. good luck.

Reverse, this is how the govt caregivers sponge bath dad (and mom when she was alive.) They get a large tub of warm water. With the washcloth, they pour the body wash into it and then scrub down dad. When done, they get a small bowl to scoop up the water and pour it over dad, washing off the body soap. They do it one side at a time. By the time, they're done, the bed is soaking wet. (I've always made it a point to use 2 waterproof zippered protective plastic on their hospital bed mattresses. When they went to the hospital, I changed the first layer if it's tearing) If they don't do a proper rinse, mom/dad would break out with rashes. One cg was sloppy. I just couldn't get rid of the rashes for almost a week. In frustration, I told dad to Tell the cg to wash off the soap good. Because she's not washing it off properly, he's breaking out in rashes. He finally told her. And the rashes started to disappear. Their employer have instructed them not to put lotion, cream or medicine on them. Most of them disregard this - and still put Desitin or A&D ointment.

Re: Aveeno liquid cleansers- they are mild enough to use 'everywhere'. They even have a 'baby' line of products, if you want it even milder. It is not 'rinse-free', however. ANY chemicals left on the skin will produce a rash, which is why I never use them. To me, it's like "Mop & Glo" for humans. If you can slip a bedpan under their bottom, you can use fresh warm water to pour/rinse off that area. Use a squirt bottle (like a shampoo bottle). Because our family has very sensitive skin, we are not in the habit of heavy scrubbing and using lots of soap/cleanser. A small amt does the job and the friction of a nubby washcloth does the rest. You do need protective layers to avoid soaking everything. A separate basin (and cloth) for soapy and rinse water, also. Once a week or so, I've put her feet in a basin to give them a good wash, rather than doing it every day. Hands can soak in a basin too, rather than washing them with a cloth- it just makes sense- and I use a flat toothbrush to get under her nails. It makes them easier to cut/file them afterwards. Moisturizing feet and hands after washing makes it feel like a little luxury massage and she usually falls asleep after.

Install a bed railing.
There are many types available, depending on your bed.
Have him roll on his side and grab the railing, pushing up with his lower elbow against the bed.
Help and guide him using the railing as support for both him and yourself.
This takes a lot of the weight load off of yourself as you're bending over.

Thank you for the advice, my husbands not being able to get out of bed was a short term thing that had to do with restrictions after bypass surgery. He was to use a lounge chair for sleeping but chose to sleep in his bed. The restrictions after open heart surgery have to do with pulling the muscles in the chest and because the arms are put above the head for many hours every thing near the chest is sensitive.He is able to put his shirts on as well as preparing for the day. And In my opinion doing quite well..