My mother in law needs to take baths in my house. There's no shower on the main floor and she can’t walk. What can I do???

HappyWoman, try "no rinse" products:   shower and shampoo.   They completely avoid the need for immersion bathing, and provide a cleaning, as well as that clean "feeling."

My first personal experience was in a hospital, after surgery; I was really impressed, really felt clean and fresh,  and now keep a supply on hand in case I need them.

Your mother can be seated in a comfortable chair, with blanket around her if needed, and the issue of transferring into a tub is completely eliminated, as is the need to try to walk and climb stairs.

Others have raised this issue here:  you can check out these other threads if you want to get a wider opinion on no rinse products:

https://www.agingcare.com/search?term=no+rinse+bath+products

I get the impression that the bath is on a second floor and none on the main level. The MIL is not able to get upstairs. Profile says she has a broken hip. So looks like sponge baths only.

There are large, bath sized towels that cleanse all body parts and allow the skin to air dry.

Hand held shower heads are available that can be fastened on to some standard bathtub spouts.

Last resort, baby wipes DO work in emergency situations but they are so small that unless you MIL is actively engaged in her own hygiene care, it will take an assistant a long time to get her comfortably and safely clean.

Is your mother able to do transfers?(does she stand or scoot from a bed to a wheelchair)? And can she sit without someone or something holding her up? If she can do both, there are strategies and techniques that would allow her to transfer from her wheelchair onto a tub/shower bench that is set up in the tub. A visiting physical or occupational therapist could help with teaching both your MIL and family/ caregivers how to do transfers safely. Good luck!

You might want to consider adding a bidet toilet seat to the bathroom that she uses.

There are cheap ones with only cold water, or more expensive ones that plug in to power to provide warm water and air for drying.

I second Freqflyer’s answer.

happywoman80, your mom-in-law can do what is called a "bird bath". Get a sink of warm soapy water and a washcloth.... then rinse. One can also purchase baby wipes for those hard to reach places. I use for myself what is called baby "water wipes" brand, and they work great.