I'm my mom's caregiver and just recently she makes up excuses on taking a bath or shower. Today I asked her and she said she took one yesterday, and I know she didn't.
Watch Teepa Snow videos on YouTube discussing techniques to help demented elders feel safe and secure enough TO bathe. If you can figure out what your mother is afraid of, you can address the issue and possibly fix it. My mother found the fortress like shower floor to be too slippery.....so a pair of water shoes fixed that issue for 14 months, till she lost more muscle control in her legs and was losing her balance once again. A shower mat on the floor in addition to the grip strips seem to have fixed the situation for now. She'll eventually need to be showered in her wheelchair, is what I see coming.
Some dementia sufferers are afraid of the water itself. That can sometimes be fixed with a hand held shower head which SHE can control the spray on. It may take some sleuthing on your part to figure out WHY she won't bathe, and to then remedy the problem, if possible. Some elders don't want to be touched. If that's the case, no rinse products are not the answer. That's where Teepa Snow's hand under hand technique can be useful bc it tends to calm an agitated and frightened elder and encourage her to allow touch.
It can be complicated when the brain isn't signalling properly anymore. Wishing you good luck helping your mom.
The article that Geaton cited references non-immersion bathing aids. They're also called no-rinse products. Rehabs use them; I used them in a hospitalization of several days. I have them at home and use them when it's appropriate, such as if I feel weak or sick.
Search for "no rinse products" and become acquainted with the brands. They're available in drug stores, but I've found a better selection and cheaper prices in one of the chain grocery stores.
The very positive aspect of these no rinse products is that they're completely non-immersion, i.e., no one has to undress and get in a tub or shower. And the individual can stay partially dressed and just remove or push aside pieces of clothing to get clean. He/she can even be seated in a chair, wrapped up in a warm throw and wash the lower parts of the body.
FreqFlyer's points are also well taken. Even though I have grab bars in the bath/shower area, I felt uncertain after a recent back injury and cling to the grab bars when necessary. Fortunately I have my no rinse products as alternates and backups.
Showers really are dangerous places, for elders or younger people. They're one area that hasn't been seriously addressed in homebuilding.
Bresue, when it comes to baths/showers for someone who is older, it is like going to the gym for a work out. It can be very exhausting. Especially if one has memory issues, and/or mobility issues, etc.
Another thing, some seniors become claustrophobic when in a shower. Especially if there are glass doors. I know for myself, I need to keep the far door open a couple of feet. Sitting in the tub works but it is a major chore getting in to sit down, and more so trying to get up :P
Then there is the fear of falling. If your love one is using a moisturizing liquid soap and/or hair conditioners, it will make the floor of the tub/shower feel like an ice rink, even with a tub mat inside.
Towel drying isn't easy. Lot of bending and reaching which can be tiring. I feel like I need a nap afterwards !!
A person doesn't need to shower daily, twice a week or once a week is good enough, unless they are doing hard labor. If a person is a Depends wearer, baby wipes work quite well between showers. Recently I found a product called “Water Wipes” in the baby section, quite pleased with the wipes.
Some dementia sufferers are afraid of the water itself. That can sometimes be fixed with a hand held shower head which SHE can control the spray on. It may take some sleuthing on your part to figure out WHY she won't bathe, and to then remedy the problem, if possible. Some elders don't want to be touched. If that's the case, no rinse products are not the answer. That's where Teepa Snow's hand under hand technique can be useful bc it tends to calm an agitated and frightened elder and encourage her to allow touch.
It can be complicated when the brain isn't signalling properly anymore. Wishing you good luck helping your mom.
Search for "no rinse products" and become acquainted with the brands. They're available in drug stores, but I've found a better selection and cheaper prices in one of the chain grocery stores.
The very positive aspect of these no rinse products is that they're completely non-immersion, i.e., no one has to undress and get in a tub or shower. And the individual can stay partially dressed and just remove or push aside pieces of clothing to get clean. He/she can even be seated in a chair, wrapped up in a warm throw and wash the lower parts of the body.
FreqFlyer's points are also well taken. Even though I have grab bars in the bath/shower area, I felt uncertain after a recent back injury and cling to the grab bars when necessary. Fortunately I have my no rinse products as alternates and backups.
Showers really are dangerous places, for elders or younger people. They're one area that hasn't been seriously addressed in homebuilding.
Another thing, some seniors become claustrophobic when in a shower. Especially if there are glass doors. I know for myself, I need to keep the far door open a couple of feet. Sitting in the tub works but it is a major chore getting in to sit down, and more so trying to get up :P
Then there is the fear of falling. If your love one is using a moisturizing liquid soap and/or hair conditioners, it will make the floor of the tub/shower feel like an ice rink, even with a tub mat inside.
Towel drying isn't easy. Lot of bending and reaching which can be tiring. I feel like I need a nap afterwards !!
A person doesn't need to shower daily, twice a week or once a week is good enough, unless they are doing hard labor. If a person is a Depends wearer, baby wipes work quite well between showers. Recently I found a product called “Water Wipes” in the baby section, quite pleased with the wipes.
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/elderly-parents-who-wont-shower-or-change-clothes-133877.htm