Follow
Share

Any showering techniques?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Mallory I was exactly where you are a year ago. Then mum fell and during the fall she soiled herself completely and utterly it was everywhere. The paramedics came and took her upstairs and gave me a set of gloves and asked me to get the worst off while they held her almost hovering over the toilet - I didnt think twice about it to be honest. Once the worst was off I wasnt even thinking when they said can you just shower her bottom please - of course they didnt want their ambulance reeking oif faeces and I did it without questioning. Once Mum was better though it became a problem again. However following TIAs and UTIs my Mum isnt My mum any more and it really isnt like its her who I am showering. Mind over matter - her mind is going so it doesnt matter. It took me 3 or 4 months to stop vomiting after I had showered her - thats a me thing I wasnt so much embaarrassed as disgusted with what I was doing - but everyone was right you can get used to anything in care if you have to.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Im lucky my mmum likes the shower but it hasnt always been easy. I heat the shower by putting the shower on and laying a towel on the seat so it too gets warm. Mum used to be reluctant until I finally established it was because she was cold. We have a bath sized shower (we took the bath out and put a shower in its place). She gets into the shower in her vest pull ups and slippers and then I take them all off IN THE SHOWER. I stay in the shower with her and yes I get drenched but she feels secure if I am with her. I shower her and dry her in the shower and also cream/talc her etc and dress her before i get her out so it becomes a one room thing. Everything gets done in the shower. I make sure the room has flowers in it (ok ok so they arent real but she doesnt know) I always spray it with lavender cleaner and use lavender air feshener and if she is a bit grumpy I tend to put on some old tea dance songs and that seems to cheer her up.
As for the actual shower while I would use a scrunch and shower gel for her I use a flannel and soap and loofah because thats what she remembers. The shower has 4 rails in it so she has something to hold on to to make her feel secure and the chair we have has a scooped out front so I can get to her front bits and arms so that she can stand more easily. Hope that helps hun xxxxxxxx
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I would start by warming up the bathroom and the towels. Keep her in her bathrobe. First do lower legs, using a hand held shower. Work your way up slowly. Then do the arms and OOPS get the robe wet. Let her cover her face with a dry washcloth while you quickly wash the hair. Now the robe is soaked, and she will want it off. Good. The shampoo has become her torso wash.
Dry quickly to avoid a chill. If you get more towels wet, who cares, they make the bottom of the tub safer. Let her play with the shower head if she wants to. Have big warm towels ready for the final wrap up, maybe even another dry terry robe. Clean slippers too. Blow dry hair on LOW, it is gentler and quieter. No rush to dress. Keep warm with a fluffy quilt until she is totally dry. Keep talking to her constantly, distract her with questions, promise tea and cookies. Be as calm as you can, that's how the aides do it, reassuring confidence.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I took care of my parents and had to shower my mom. I looked at it as returning the favor. She changed my diapers and bathed me as a child then it was my turn to do the same for her. :)
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Oh Corki if only i had felt like you. I couldnt disassociate at all until Mum started to lose the plot - then it was easier ...much easier. I can now do it in her lucid moments too - I do it in a very specific order and its absolutely not negotiable but weirdly that seems to work better for mum
Kathi
As for the nuts and bolts of how: unlike others I start at the top and work down the ways. She holds the face cloth (in UK flannel) over her face while i wash her hair then I use a face cream wash on her face and wash that off. I use a flannel with a very very mild exfoliant on her back (it in an oil base so it leaves her skin really soft and smooth. Then I wash underams and arms fromt and under boobs tummy and lower abdomen then I do legs and feet . Finally I do the genital area but I keep a separate set of flannels white for face soft colours for body and grey for genitalia that way I can keep cross infection to a minimum - same with the towels white pastels and dark respectively. I wear vinyl examination gloves all the time and also for any creams or pain relief gels because I dont want to transfer infection nor do I need pain relief in my hands!

We have a seat in the shower that is really sturdy and it gives me the chance to ensure she is thoroughly showered and rinsed. I used to use a hair drier to dry her but the OT went loopy because although I have a safety cut out I was still taking a heating device into a shower - I think she had seen what women want with Mel Gibson and was frightend I would electrocute her!!!.. in the summer its much easier because I can take her through into a different room but its a bit too chilly to do that right now. I ALWAYS take the opportunity to conduct a thorugh search of her body for any abrasions/bruises/broken skin although in fairness the worst I see is usually slight redness in the groin from her pampers or under her boobs from her aha type bra. If I catch it early enough I find the best thing to use is vaseline (petroleum jelly???) if not then cavilon or one of the myriad we seem to have accumulated in the bathroom cabinet. As for creams I use diprobase especially on her legs and arms where the skin is quite crepy. Do make sure that you dry carefully between the toes and under the toes. If I do use talcum powder which is rare I put it on to the towel and then dust her with the towel. Hope that helps you Kathi
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Me too.i said i could never and i mean never shower mom! Guess what I've been bathing and change her 7 years now. you'd be surprised what you can do when you love someone
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

For me its not a question of love but reality. I know I do a better job than the agency carers did although toi be fair it was that that got me to take it over in the first place - if a jobs worth doing then do it yourself sort of thing. It was a job that had to be done thoroughly and when they couldnt even wash the shampoo out of her hair properly it was time to say OK I will do it - that and the fact that we never knew when they would turn up and Mum would fret about having a shower till it was easier on my nerves to say I will do it. I would never have thought I could have done it but you grit your teeth do it and fret about it after - for me that meant vomiting but I dont any more
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

My Mom always took baths, so I have to get her in there. It is becoming more difficult and I mostly have to wait till she is in a "good" mood and make the suggestion about her taking a bath before I get in there. Usually she fights at some point. Trying to get her hair washed?? That is worse. I like some of the showering techniques provided here, maybe somehow I can incorporate but for the bathtub.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I have been told that the main reason Alzheimer and Dementia people don't like to showeris because they can't see white. They actually can't see the water flowing through the shower head, and they are frightened. I have also been told to give them water or liquids in a dark glass or cup. The clear glass is not visible to them. marymember
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Francis you can wash hair in bed if you use an inflatable shampoo basin bathing aid. You can buy them on Amazon but be warned you need a mattress thats not soft or you will have water everywhere. We have a hospital mattress and that would be great. You could also give her a head massage using a dry shampoo BUT I have found a you tube video that is quite simple. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC6a0B8HKHw - If you want to see it at work then https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE9zK2QhZYE. Dont you just love youtube!
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter