Finger nail care?

Yikes, when I'm 'there'--no WAY I'd let anything mechanical come close to me. I can't imagine anything more traumatic. I'm thinking cats, dogs, and myself. ALSO, having a human-to-human interaction, even involving clippers, is the way to go for me. Buy the best form of nippers you can possibly afford, don't just pounce on him/her, but make it a genuine interaction. Don't approach it as a 'chore', and please don't treat your elder as an object. These situations are where the rubber meets the world. IMHO.

I know there is some kind of an "electric" file which is very gently and just files off the ends of the nails without pain or discomfort. Foot doctors often use that to cut toenails but others use it for their hands. Hold her hand still while you use the other hand to do your thing.

My father used to anticipate the heck out of me cutting his toenails even though I never hurt him. So I'd put a book or magazine in his hands and ask him to read to me while I did it. When I was finished, he was always surprised. We also had to use distractions for flu shots because he over anticipated it.

I used the glass file on my mom and use on my own nails. I agree with Ahmijoy and find the electric files harsh, and I hate the sound it makes.

I use a glass nail file & actually it leaves the nail so smooth & I find it rather soothing - I have some from a dollar store & from my regular drug store - bonus is that when you travel they pass security because they are not metal

How about a professional manicurist? That might make the difference to your LO because they would feel like they were receiving special care...which they are.

I would recommend the glass files. They are very kind to the finger and nails. No scratching sound. File in one direction. Play soothing music while doing it. Call it spa time if that helps.

As one ages, their skin thins and in turn, the nail bed will be affected. Have you ever attempted salon care?

We bought the Roto Clipper. It’s battery operated. However,, we still go back to clipper. It makes some continuous noise.

I never thought that cutting someone’s fingers could be so difficult.

My battery-run Lady Remington file produces a soft hum and files nicely.

I recommend nail files made from glass. Very gentle because they are rather smooth, plus they last longer than Emery boards. You might find single ones at local stores, but I buy mine in packs of 6 or 8 from Amazon. I love them and mom does, too. She tolerates nail care pretty well, though.

This is uncomfortable and/or painful for her in some way or she wouldn’t respond as she does. Maybe her skin is extremely fragile, maybe the tone of the electric file is excrutiating to her ears, maybe her nails are more comfortable when they are slightly longer, maybe you are frustrated with her when you are filing and cutting and she is recoiling for emotional reasons - perhaps you are just in her personal space or she feels claustrophobic.

How did she wear her nails when she was younger? Did she like to get professional manicures?

Try to follow her wishes to the best of your ability and recollection.

Can you hire a professional? The $15 it costs may save you more in stress and anxiety. Seek out a kind and empathetic nail technician who has experience with elderly clients. If you can take your mom there, the outing will do her good. Some even make house and/or hospital calls.

If she is the “spa” type but this is not in your budget, create the same atmosphere at home. (Don’t forget to sterilize all the tools —by boiling— before use for her safety). Put on soft music, give her a soak in Palmolive (to soften her nails before cutting or filing), and make sure to follow with a gentle lotion hand massage, or even her favorite shade of nail polish. The women who like manicures feel that the process is pampering and relaxing. Make it that way for her.

The foam block style emery boards used commonly in salons are now available at drug stores— they are gentler and less likely to snag fragile skin.

Make this a relaxing and living time for the two of you.

It is so stressful caring for a loved one. We all understand everything you are experiencing.

Don’t know about the electric files. I have only used an emory board. The jerk back description is so accurate. My mother did this when I trimmed her toenails. It’s hard to complete the task when that happens. So sorry this is difficult for you. Good luck.

In my experience, the electric files are very harsh on the nails. The nails tend to split and peel and leave the nails too short, which can be painful. A good, old emery board is much better and then she won’t recoil each time you go to do her nails.