My mom has been wearing the same dirty shirt for a week now. How do I get her to shower and change when she refuses?

Hi M~ Yes it sounds to me that you have a challenge on your hands, but one that can possibly be overcome. Is there any special reason why your Mom is being so difficult about her hygene and changing her clothes? Are you able to discuss this matter with her? If you do find that you are getting no place, but frustrated-you may want to contact your local agency on aging and run this question by them, as they perhaps make a visit and give your their assessment of the situation. Another alternative can possibly be to have her attend a local senior center-where also she may be assessed, and possibly bathed by a staff member. If you have a physician or a neurologist who is familiar with her case, they possibly can offer you some suggestions.
So yes there are options, so it appears.
Best,
Hap

I have this problem also. My mom's COPD does not help the situation, as she uses breathing issues to her advantage. I have found that if I give her some input on the task it is easier to get through it. I tell her let's take a bath today, she says no, she's tired so I say well then we'll do it tomorrow.The next day I say it's bath day and she'll say after my nap.Then I prepare the bathroom and get out clean clothes.After her nap...I don't take no for an answer and bathing is done. She considers it "an ordeal" even when I make it as easy as possible.

I think with COPD everything gets hard... I would just make things as easy as you can for her. It does sound like you ARE doing that... Many times a little "bird bath" at the sink can substitute for a shower or tub bath. Do you have a bath tub chair etc??? take care, J

Let me know when she reaches 7 months. Though think she did wash it occasionally. Once I moved here, I let her go three weeks before putting my foot down. Believe it or not she can move past this. What did it for my mom was Zoloft and knowing she had anotehr life that involved me, fun activities. The best thing I did was "stage" photos of her being hugged by friendly neighbors, and print them up. She was loved even in her hermit outfit. Now Mom cannot stand to be sticky (from sweat)...from because her body gets to hot cause she feels cold...so cover with blankets and electric blanket...sweat evaporate, she feel cold...but sweat because she is REALLY cooking. Let me know if you have a solution for this one...
I know, thyroid. Every time we have it checked it's ok. Maybe do again.

Oh, forget official bath. When she goes to the bathroom, pants down, use opportunity to wash legs. Other time change blouse, then wash top with wash clothes. I gave up on showers and take mom to the salon just for hairwash. I enrolled them in lavishing her with hugs and kisses, and now they all fight over who gets to give her a hairwash...and who can do it without emotional meltdown. Watch for excessive noise of hairdryer. That will provoke a meltdown instantly. Get hot towels to dry hair quicker...dry hair next to the laundry dryer so you have quick access...that sort of thing.

how creative of you... God Bless!!!

I have a "nice" pail of hot water and perhaps a dozen washclothes. If mom helps with some, and I do her back or harder to reach places, then it goes quickly. Sometimes not all at once. Those foamy non-rinse cleaners are great too. I go through washclothes quickly then the water is always clean. Use ddry washclothes instead of a towel, then easy to manage, not get tangled up. Then use that dry washcloth as the next wet one. also dipping cold used washcloth into hot water really cools the water too fast, thus keep using fresh ones.

M, I had the same problem with my mom, dont know if it was to the extent of wanting not to live anymore, but that happened to me.....I got her immediately into a community center locally cause it seemed to me to stem from depression, a nuerologist too execellent idea, I dont know if this is possible for u, but I sat down with my mom and discussed it with her! I told her that it was a really bad sign when we start to fail to take care of our hygiene, that it should come as second nature,blah blah, and from then on in even if I had to shower with her thats what I did! WE MADE IT FUN!