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Aline13 Asked August 2014

What is the easiest way to get my husband ready for bed?

It takes 30 to 50 minutes each night. He dresses as quickly as he undresses.

BarbBrooklyn Aug 2014
Pam, you just made my day!

Countrymouse Aug 2014
Pam total blackout in my case!!!

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jeannegibbs Aug 2014
Sigh. The easiest way is probably to allot 30 to 50 minutes to getting him to bed. It takes what it takes.

Do the same steps in the same order and the same place every time. Having a very structured routine can help a little. Take the hearing aids out and then brush the teeth, never the other way around. (Obviously, do things in any order you like, but do it the same each night.) No surprises means less confusion and (hopefully) less delay.

Encouraging easy-to-put-on-and-remove clothing choices is helpful, but you also need to respect habit and preference.

Doing your part of the prep while he is doing his can help a little. Get his pills ready while he is brushing his teeth. Hand them to him as he comes out of the bathroom. It is really best if he does as much as he can do himself. But if he is overly tired give him a little extra help to move things along and avoid frustration for both of you.

It is tough. Been there, lived through it. You will, too!

MaggieMarshall Aug 2014
LOLOLOLOLO!!!!!

pamstegma Aug 2014
You dance around naked until his clothes fall off. If you are over 40, please dim the lights.

freqflyer Aug 2014
How I wish my Dad would wear polo shirts or t-shirts, easy to slip on.... but he's use to a short sleeve button down shirt, even for outdoor yard work. Old habits are hard to break.

Now if only there was some way of Velcroing his cane to himself, it would be much quicker getting out the door :0

MaggieMarshall Aug 2014
Well, I'll tell you how I handle that with mom. She can't dress herself. Well, maybe she could, but I don't have all day. ;)

During the day, she wears a terry-type housecoat that snaps down the front. I put a clean one on her every morning. She sleeps in it, then I change it next morning. She wears slip-on crocs.

A man? Might wear a fancy-schmancy robe. Or loose fitting pants and shirt. When mom's going out? In the morning, I throw her robe in the laundry and help her get dressed while she's on the toilet. Pretty jogging shoes with fancy laces on last.

I'm thinking you're not helping him get dressed. I don't have time for that, frankly. I'm in there with both lil' feet.

Countrymouse Aug 2014
I sympathise, too - it does seem to take forever. But it just does, take forever I mean.

It puts me in mind of the lady commuter who had a terrible rush hour drive to do twice a day and was asked why she never got stressed about it. She said: "Because I never expect the journey to take less time than it actually does take."

Humph, very Zen of you, I thought. But it's true. If he's keeping you up later than you like, the only solution is to start him getting ready earlier. I'm sorry, I know how hair-tearing it feels.

pamzimmrrt Aug 2014
Good luck with this, we have the same issue. Mom lays his clothes out.. he piddles around eating breakfast for 45 minutes, then an hour to get dressed and ready. And if we need to go somewhere, it seems to take longer! And don;t forget the drink of water as we are ready to go out the door, LOL. And he always forgets something.. slippers still on.. you know the drill..

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