Can a male child take care of a sick mother as far as bathing and dressing. As a caretaker for others I know it's illegal for female male contact BUT wondering if it's still the same with a parent ??
Italianguy, it is sweet to read of your care for your mother. You have the ethics right when you say that as long as it's all right with her, it's all right.
But from a caregiver's welfare point of view, it is just as important that it's all right with *you*. There are lots of caregivers on the forum, female as well as male, who are not okay with intimate personal care and when their parents have come to need that much help they have looked to other service providers, and that is FINE.
I remember the first time I helped a relative adjust her clothing after she'd been to the bathroom, because although we managed it did feel like a watershed moment for me. On through the years, I eventually became my mother's 24/7 caregiver and got used to the full spectrum of personal care needs. But "got used to" is the operative phrase, there. It was not instinctive in the way that childcare can be.
All I'm saying is that there is no disgrace and no lack of love in deciding there are lines you can't cross. See how you go but never be ashamed to need help.
My Mother was so modest,like I am too,that I just let her keep her bra and panties on when she took a shower.Then I put on my swimsuit and a pair of shorts and got in with her and washed her back and legs,etc. with a soaped up washcloth and when it was time for her to wash her private parts,I handed her the washcloth and got out to give her the privacy she needed and then got back in and rinsed her off and then got her out safely and dried her off and put her in a fresh night gown. That's what worked for us for a long time,until she went on Hospice and then she had sponge baths in her liftchair the rest of her way.
He would need to be over 18, and have permission from his mother. Follow the standards and culture of your people so no one is unnecessarily uncomfortable. Use all privacy techniques, including handing the patient a washcloth to clean their own private parts (if able).
My daughter takes care of men. There were male nurses that tried to undress my Mom. She didn't like it so I requested a female. I am sure there are main on this forum taking care of their mothers. If you feel comfortable doing it and Mom is OK with it, then go ahead.
In NY it's illegal for a male to bathe and dress a female but not for a female to a male BUT as long as my mother is ok with it I'll do it of course when that time comes.
Where do you live that it is illegal for opposite sex caregivers? There are many men and women who have a career in healthcare and to my knowledge there is nowhere in North America that are they restricted to caring for those of their own gender (and that includes bathing and dressing as well as toileting). There are also many daughters caring for their fathers and sons caring for their mothers.
In NY it's illegal for a male to bathe and dress a female but not for a female to a male BUT as long as my mother is ok with it I'll do it of course when that time comes.
But from a caregiver's welfare point of view, it is just as important that it's all right with *you*. There are lots of caregivers on the forum, female as well as male, who are not okay with intimate personal care and when their parents have come to need that much help they have looked to other service providers, and that is FINE.
I remember the first time I helped a relative adjust her clothing after she'd been to the bathroom, because although we managed it did feel like a watershed moment for me. On through the years, I eventually became my mother's 24/7 caregiver and got used to the full spectrum of personal care needs. But "got used to" is the operative phrase, there. It was not instinctive in the way that childcare can be.
All I'm saying is that there is no disgrace and no lack of love in deciding there are lines you can't cross. See how you go but never be ashamed to need help.
That's what worked for us for a long time,until she went on Hospice and then she had sponge baths in her liftchair the rest of her way.
Follow the standards and culture of your people so no one is unnecessarily uncomfortable. Use all privacy techniques, including handing the patient a washcloth to clean their own private parts (if able).