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Maine1270 Asked March 2014
How do you get your elderly Mom to bathe?
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Even if not every day every other day?? She lives with us, has her own room and for the most part is not a big problem othen than keeping herself clean, she feels that getting a bath/shower once a week is enough. She was recently in the hospital for a severe UTI so I was hoping that would push her to do it more but it hasn't. We take her bedding off every week to wash it and her clothes are washed & kept clean too. I don't want to start a big fight over this as I know that is what it will lead into but even when kiddos are starting to complain that Gram smells what do you do???????????
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pamstegma Mar 2014
I was in a NH this Spring, and they told me my assigned bath day was Thursday. My MIL is in ALF and she has an aide assist her twice a week. She smells of what? Excessive odor should be discussed with her MD, make sure nothing is wrong with her metabolism. If it is on her breath, check her mouth. A skin fungus will smell like old socks. Infection is more offensive. Kidney failure produces a urine smell on skin. Ask the doctor.
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Eyerishlass Mar 2014
An elderly person doesn't really need to bathe everyday or even every other day. I'm in private duty nursing and most of the patients I have who are elderly and frail bathe about 1-2 times a week. However, if there is an odor it could be a result from a lack of bathroom hygiene. Is your mom incontinent? Urine always smells even if the person bathed 30 minutes prior to an accident.
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AmyGrace Mar 2014
Sending a hug. I wish I had the answer but I can at least sympathize. My mother has not bathed in months. The soap is dry, there are no towels or washcloths used. Her dementia makes her impossible to deal with as she can't remember what she has done 5 minutes ago, so the answer is - I bathed - and she believes it. She absolutely refuses to let us help, or let anyone in the apartment to help her bathe. She is now incontinent due to laxative abuse. I just don't know what to do.
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