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Heidi73 Asked September 2014

Mom broke her arm and refuses to shower. How do I get her to bathe?

OK, quick question. My mom broke her arm nearly two weeks ago (it took nearly a week to get her to see the doc.) Now, it's been a week since she had it set in a cast. She can't get it wet. Best way seems to be to wrap it in plastic and tape it off so it can't get wet.
Well, it's been a week and she refuses to shower. I have offered to help her, either by sealing off the cast or helping her bathe. Nope. Whatever idea I have she shoots down and says she simply won't bathe for the four to six weeks. (She already says the doctor will have to remove it after four weeks, and that is that.)
My mom doesn't like to take a daily shower, which is fine, but she is diabetic, smokes, takes lots of pills, drinks very little water and likes to wear polyester house dresses all the time. In short, it's a recipe for smelling very bad.
Anyone have any advice for getting her to clean up? We got her a shower seat so she could sit and not lose her balance but she won't use it. No one can help her bathe apparently. I get that, as I wouldn't want someone washing me down either if I could help it, but man is she going to stink!

Veronica91 Sep 2014
hubby has a cast on right now and the hospital sent him home with a cast cover. it is a long plastic sleeve with a circle of rubber attached to the end which has a stretchable hole in the center. you have to stretch the hole so it is best if some one helps but it fits very tightly and keeps the water out. However as it is only going to be six weeks i think the idea of the warm bath wipes is a better idea

Countrymouse Sep 2014
Just in case she warms to the idea of bathing before the six weeks is up, you can get specially designed cast covers for not very much money. They're easy to put on and reusable.

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pamstegma Sep 2014
If you warm them first, she will LOVE them

Heidi73 Sep 2014
Those baby wipes sound like a good idea. We've bought them before and used in a pinch (like if the power is out in winter). I'll bring her a pack and see if she's game. Thank you for the awesome idea.

pamstegma Sep 2014
No shower. Bed bath. Lay her down on clean towels and clean one small area at a time. Use the wipes that freqflyer described above.

freqflyer Sep 2014
Check your local drug stores for "No Rinse Cleansing & Deodorizing Bathing Wipes" and others with similar names. Maybe your Mom might like using those. They sound pretty nice, I might get some for myself to use after a busy day of doing housework but too tired to step into the shower.

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