Follow
Share

Mom moved in with my husband and I in December. She is paranoid about bathing and especially washing her hair. She will make up every excuse in the book to postpone (indefinitely?) her bath. I was using the shower chair and a spray nozzle in the tub, but it was so upsetting for her EVERY time, and ultimately upsetting for me, that I just settled on giving her sponge baths every couple of days. The problem now is how to shampoo her hair. I’ve tried the kitchen sink with the sprayer. I have her sit in a chair with a pillow so she would be high enough, wrap her neck with a thick towel and place a cut trash bag around her neck and shoulders where it would fall into the sink and not get her clothes or the floor wet. But she is so paranoid about getting any water on her face or ears, that she will sit forward just enough that water ends up all over the floor. There’s got to be a better way!! Any tips??

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Rinseless shampoo. Google it. Works up into a lather and then towel it. No water.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

What about a weekly, or even monthly, wash and style at a local salon? I know you said she doesn't like to get wet but if she used to have it done in the past it might seem more normal to her.
There is also the medication option, just a little something for anxiety on bath/shampoo days.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

With my mom, first we did once a week at a salon. When that got to be too much activity, we switched to doing it at home. We purchased a handy item called a hair funnel from Amazon. It is not perfect, but made it doable. Mom could keep her head held straight and the water funnels into the sink. We still padded the chair with a couple of towels. It was best if my husband could help. His part was to hold a hand towel folded across her forehead to keep water from dripping down (my mom didn't like her eyes covered). We just tried to rinse as quick as possible.

Now we do her hair in the bed during her bed bath.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Yes, I have tried several of the waterless shampoos and they left her hair greasy.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Would one of those waterless shampoo caps things work. They lather up pretty good and can be toweled when you are finished. Maybe a demonstration on yourself tolet her see exactly how it works.
A fiblet might help with this, telling her there is some kind of new virus going around and this is one way of preventing her catching it.
Just a thought.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

How about 'DRESSING UP' for hair day

You can get those protectors that go around the hair line to protect the face. Like this. HOOYEE Safe Shampoo Shower Bathing Protection Bath Cap Soft Adjustable Visor Hat for Toddler, Baby, Kids, Children(this one is on Amazon) . You can buy them in various colours. Also AMAZING VALUE 9 x Assorted Unisex Adult Emergency Waterproof Reusable Rain Ponchos With Hoods - Perfect For Festivals(again on Amazon), Camping & Theme Parks

Both these items can be bought in various colours.

So here is my suggestion. It is for you BOTH.
The dressing up day. Pick your favour colour, let mum pick hers (from the colours you have managed to get.
Both put on the waterproof Mac / disposable coat. Now both put on the face protector/hat, arrange them (or pretend to)

Try and make it fun. If it works, then it will be worth it.

Good Luck
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

We used a shampoo visor thingy when the kids were small so I thought of that too, but I'm not sure you could find one that would fit an adult.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Found an adult on on Amazon again. [Manito] Shampoo Cap / Baby Kid Child Adult Shampoo Bath Shower Cap Hat Wash Hair Shield (Pink) - they also do it in Blue if she prefers.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

A trip to a small hair salon for a shampoo and trim. My mom likes this a lot, the massage of her head and neck is relaxing.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

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