How do I get my 93-year-old mother to take showers? She argues with me and I usually give in to her.

Would you be able to get her to a beauty salon on a weekly basis? (I realize that might be impossible.)
Take her out to lunch on hair day to bring a positive note to the proceedings?
Use dry shampoo as an in between?

I’m having that problem with my 91 year old Aunt. And I do everything on my own, with no help. but I want to find someone to come in and say, I’m here to assist you with a bath. I’ll tell her the doctor ordered that I have a bath nurse assistant .Now just to find someone that will come in to do it; not so easy. Nothing is ever easy. But I keep trying.

If you have an overhead shower, it is not usually a major job to replace it with a shower that has a hand-held option. Sit her in a shower chair. Starting at the feet is fairly non-stressful, and you can take the water off her body while you get a low volume and the right temperature. It is an easier position to wash hair as well, as she will be able to lean back safely.

It’s been said here that some elders are just not big fans of showers and prefer baths. My mother had claustrophobia and a shower stall was hell on earth for her. That plus the water pounding on their bodies is just too stressful for them.

My husband is bedridden and I give him only bedbaths. I use regular (Dial) soap and make certain to rinse him thoroughly. We used a Bath Aide once and watching him,I knew I could do the job just as well.

Offer to work in tandem with the Bath Aide. Mom may feel more comfortable if you’re there and she is not alone with the aide. .