I cannot get my wife, who is living with Alzheimer’s, to take a bath or shower. She’ll let me sponge bathe her, but a full bath would be nice. Any suggestions?
I agree with MJ1929 that hiring an aid to do it is more successful. It was in my family's experience. Showers are much safer than baths, so you would need a shower seat, grip bars, non-skid bath mat, adjustable/hand-help shower head, and maybe a little space heater to make the bathroom temp cozy for her. The aid can pretend its a spa treatment day ;-)
Honestly, hiring an aide to give her baths would work best.
My dad had similar problems with my mother, and I was forced to bathe her once a week when I eas up there. Eventually she came to battle me as well. Finally I hired an aide who 1. was all business, and 2. knew how to give someone a shower quickly and efficiently. The battles stopped, and I don't think Mom gave the aides in her nursing home much trouble once she moved into memory care.
The reason why she’s fighting you is because you’re safe. You aren’t going to leave her, you’re not going to abuse her, so she knows she can push back. It isn’t fun, but be glad she’s comfortable enough with you to fight back a little.
My dad had similar problems with my mother, and I was forced to bathe her once a week when I eas up there. Eventually she came to battle me as well. Finally I hired an aide who 1. was all business, and 2. knew how to give someone a shower quickly and efficiently. The battles stopped, and I don't think Mom gave the aides in her nursing home much trouble once she moved into memory care.
The reason why she’s fighting you is because you’re safe. You aren’t going to leave her, you’re not going to abuse her, so she knows she can push back. It isn’t fun, but be glad she’s comfortable enough with you to fight back a little.