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Chicka Asked April 2020

Father has dementia. Difficulty getting him to take a shower, he insists he had one yesterday. Every time. Any advice?

He doesn’t believe my mother and I.

freqflyer Apr 2020
First thing, a person with dementia has memory issues, so they won't remember from hour to hour, day to day. Don't forget, your Dad's brain is broken, and he is in his 90's.

I have noticed for myself that taking a shower is like going to the gym for a work out. It can be very exhausting for many seniors. Especially if one has memory issues, and/or mobility issues, etc.

Another thing, some seniors become claustrophobic when in a shower. Especially if there are glass doors. I know for myself, I need to keep the far door open a couple of feet. Sitting in the tub works but it is a major chore getting in to sit down, and more so trying to get up :P

Then there is the fear of falling. If your Dad is using a moisturizing liquid soap and/or hair conditioners, it will make the floor of the tub/shower feel like an ice rink, even with a tub mat inside. I almost slipped the other day.

Towel drying isn't easy. I find myself hopping around trying to get one foot and leg dry, can be a challenge. So easy to get one's feet tangled up in the towel.

A parent doesn't need to shower daily, twice a week or once a week is good enough, unless they are doing hard labor. If a parent is a Depends wearer, baby wipes work quite well between showers. Recently I found a product called “Water Wipes” in the baby section, quite pleased with the wipes.
Chicka Apr 2020
we are insisting a shower once a week. He will not take one until we insist on the weekend. Like I said he is sure he had one yesterday. We have rails to get in and have a bath chair with back. He doesn’t want anyone helping him. Won’t use soap I have to insist to let my mother in to help lather hair behind ears and back. He will get in , turn on water and turn it off after a couple of minutes. Really hard on my mom.

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