make sure bathroom is warm and having a shower w/ a hand held shower wand/nozzle and a shower chair will make things easier. we also got a shower mitt that can be lathered up which might be easier then a wash cloth to hold depending on his struggles. if it is just mental struggles-we mark it on a calendar and make sure he can see he takes a shower every week on a certain day and cat bath when he needs it during the week.
A lot of seniors find it be too much trouble to get everything ready, get the water temperature right, get undressed, get into and out of the tub and get dried off and dressed all by themselves. We do it without thinking, but it is work to them. So they put it off until tomorrow and sometimes tomorrow again. Also sometimes, it's hard to step into the tub, painful to stand for the length of time (use a shower or transfer bench), maybe the shower head isn't conveniently placed, maybe the faucet is too difficult to adjust to get the water "just right". Maybe they're afraid of falling either in the tub or out. Maybe it's hard to get the bathroom warm enough.
All that is to say that there are a bunch of reasons why your dad may be having trouble taking a shower. Spend a little time assisting him and see for yourself what is the trouble and try to fix it. Screw grab bars onto the walls where he needs to stabilize himself. Good luck. Bathing is a big issue with elderly.
All that is to say that there are a bunch of reasons why your dad may be having trouble taking a shower. Spend a little time assisting him and see for yourself what is the trouble and try to fix it. Screw grab bars onto the walls where he needs to stabilize himself. Good luck. Bathing is a big issue with elderly.