What would be a good color of bed sheets for my Mom (90) who has dementia?

I think that if you're mother is still able to make choices (not decisions note) then you let her choose the sheets she wants. HOWEVER if you have a LO who hallucinates (often found with some dementias) then a print can be a nightmare for some of them because they 'see' things in the print. Sometimes a very plain fabric suits best especially in those conditions.

For me the issue isn't the colour of the fabric but the fabric itself. Cotton can be boiled if it is soiled but some polyester (read man made there because it might not be polyester!) fibres seem to retain the smell of urine and you can't darned well boil them or bleach them. So despite some previous comments and because Mum actually says she prefers them we have crisp white egyptian cotton sheets that crease beyond belief need ironing just before they get dry but they look fabulous and no odours. We have a dark wood floor (that will soon be a rubber, wood look floor. so there is a contrast but as for colour white all the way here - simply because of the hygiene of them and because mum likes the feel of them and because they look fabulous but I suspect i am quite old fashioned here because I iron everything (yep even knickers and socks and tea towels!)

Since there are a number of comments about a wet bed, I'll throw in my 2 cents on that. This may be obvious, but if bladder control is an issue, getting a waterproof mattress cover is a lifesaver. Good luck all.

Wolflover, I wish you could see how comments like the one you made are discouraging to people who are having it hard enough, and looking to this forum for encouragement and help, not doom and gloom. (We get enough of that in real life.) Please don't feel attacked by what I'm saying, just be aware.

Ferris, unless wolflover has a crystal ball we don't know about, there's no way anyone can know what will or will not happen in a stranger's future. To present a negative possibility, even probability, as if it were a fact, is counterproductive, and adds no value. Maybe I *will need a support group one day, maybe I won't, maybe I'll get hit by a bus tomorrow, or maybe my mom will have a peaceful beautiful death from another cause before certain Alzheimer's symptoms become an issue...so what? The point is, we're here to support each other, not torment each other with reminders of a possible worse case scenario. And no, people do not have the right to express anything they want when the wording and the placement of that expression hurts a fellow caregiver.

Christine I bought a hospital style mattress it s welded at the seams and will withstand steaming, disinfecting etc. Its been a godsend and Im not sure what it is made of but mum doesn't sweat either which is seriously good news

Speaking of sheets, on a bariatric twin all electric bed, rather than buy whole new sheets, I used two queen size, turned the wrong wayy and folded lengthwise...works perfect and I can "hide" the chucks, so someone isnt fussing at me insisting that they are not needed....

One can't read tone of voice in a posting, or body language, and sometimes answers get misconstrued.

I'd just like to state that I found nothing in wolflover451's first post at all offensive or inappropriate. To me the message was "Don't overthink this. Get something she likes now." Is she (he?) correct that the loved one won't care later? Maybe. That is her experience and she is entitled to express it. It wasn't correct for my husband, who was aware of his surroundings up to his dying day. But I would still echo the basic message ... Choose for today. The future is uncertain.

Please let's not snipe at each other.We are all caregivers who are doing our best. Sometimes our words may strike a dissonant chord with certain readers. Unless that is clearly the intention, let's cut each other some slack.

I love ADCaregivers's comment about using contrasting colors to help make objects stand out and be recognizable. In this case, it probably applies to the outer bed covers as well as the sheets. I say for sheets texture might be the most important factor, and for the top blanket or spread a color that contrasts with the room color may be most important. It doesn't help if the sheets are bright magenta if they are covered by a beige spread when the loved one walks into the room.

I love bookworm54's sensitivity in even thinking about this question. There is good stuff to think about in this thread.

brandywine1949, same here, I wouldn't like a bold pattern... example stripes make me seasick... I cannot even walk into a room that has striped wallpaper, I would quickly lose my balance. I blame it in part on having eye astigmatism.

Bookworm. Washable chucks are like the throw away ones you would use on the bed but are washable. I found the disposable ones would move too easily and then the sheets were wet. The washable ones have one side with a white quilted material and the other (mine are green) was a waterproof material. More comfortable to lay on because they were not plastic. I think you can buy them at Walmart but just google washable chucks and you will find many choices.

Waterproof bedpads..I buy mine at Amazon (since we don't have Walmart) at 3 for $25.00 + shipping, 29"x35". I used to order it at a catalog (Dr.Leonard??) but they changed the quality in which the plastic backing soooo easily tears. So far BHMedwear is still great quality.

jennagibbs: thank you, that was my intent fully. we are all here to support, offer suggestions but also to be realistic for what the future "might" hold. here and now is best, but be prepared too. thanks again.......