Yes; use the no rinse products if you have to. They're used in hospitals (at least in Michigan) and in some SNFs (in my experience). Immersion baths are nice, and soothing, but without the proper assistive devices can be too dangerous.
If they are doing it regularly and are thorough, I'd say they should be fine. Could a family member offer to help with a shower once in a while when they visit? That might be very refreshing for them.
(If either of them is incontinent, that raises additional concerns.)
My folks are mid eighties and baths are very difficult. They do washcloth baths and seem to do pretty well. It's especially hard for elders in the winter to undress when it's cold. I had thought about a bath remodel, elder tub etc., but it would cost big bucks and they still wouldn't use it. Not to mention spending their money. OMG!
Another suggestion is finding a baby wipe or adult bathroom wipes that they could use inbetween the "bird baths". Just make sure they don't throw these wipes down the toilet. Experiment with the scents to find one they really like using which would make it more enjoyable.
I use those wipes like a washcloth, without the soap, when I just don't feel like diving into the shower.
As everyone has pointed out sponge baths are fine if that is all you they can manage, but being able to really rinse off in a warm shower can be so beneficial if at all possible. Have you installed sturdy grab bars, bought a shower chair (get one with a back), converted to a hand held shower, added no slip strips and bought a gfi bathroom heater? At their age a bath aide once a week might also be helpful and make them less fearful.
All excellent points Cwillie. I did all this stuff when my mom came home from a hospitalization a couple years ago. It was great for awhile, But as her mobility has worsened it's so hard for her to bathe even with all the bars, chair etc. She needs a bath aid at least once per week but of course she'll never agree to that.
A word to anyone looking to install grab bars in the bathroom:
Go online or talk to an expert about how to properly place the bars in a shower or bath. My mom had a visiting therapist who gave me some great tips. Usually around and in the bath/ shower area your dealing with tile or a composite surface. You only want to drill and anchor the bars once.
Don't use the suction type devices. Very dangerous.
If your not handy with tools, fasteners etc. hire someone who is. Nothing could be worse than a grab bar coming loose and an er trip with an elder.
Windy, I can't understand why they are even allowed to sell those suction grab bars. I know some people say they work fine, but even the best of them will eventually lose their grip, and probably at the worst time. I wouldn't even trust them as a short term solution.
I agree, it would scare me to death but I guess in some cases folks have no choice. If you can even find a good handyman it could be a couple hundred bucks.
Hi. I give a loved one (LO) bed baths all the time. After watching a lot of home health aides, I have a few suggestions. Use towels like a spa would and only uncover the area you are washing. The other areas stay covered up and warmer. The good aides would always soap once and rinse twice. I like the idea of the no rinse wash, but I use soap and warm water to really get my LO clean. A doctor told me not to use soap on private parts. So, I use baby oil to remove caked on Calmoseptine and Inzo, and then just clean those areas using war, wet wash clothes. There are products out there to make bed bathes easier. My best investment was buying an item that protects the bed from shampoo soap. You can find it on eBay if you search "Inflatable Shampoo Basin." The one I bought was under $20. There are also tubs you can inflate around your LO w/o getting them out of bed. I haven't splurged on that yet. I hope some of this helps. p.s. It's wonderful you are helping your parents.
Also, consider a bath bench to stabilize the patient while bathing. My husband used one when under hospice care. I am 85 and have good balance, but always use a bath bench and a hand held shower. You might consider a flexible shower mat. Be sure the water is not too warm on the shoulders. I attribute that to the origin of eczema on my shoulders.
I must say no on this one. I've known people who only took sponge baths and they still stunk. You don't get all the way clean with just a sponge bath alone, especially the hair. Hair needs regularly washed as well as the rest of the body. I've known enough sponge bathers to know that sponge bath alone is just not enough to be clean. I've known enough sponge bathers to know that sponge bath alone is just not enough to be clean. Sponge bathing is just for between regular bathing and not something to rely on as a shower replacement, not even with disposable premoistened washcloths on the market. Sponge bathing is just a temporary fix until you can get to the shower. I had a motorcycle wreck a while back and was in bed for three weeks with a real bad case of road rash. I could not even sit let alone stand and had to temporarily rely on sponge bathing but I was glad when I could finally step back into a regular shower and get all the way clean and I felt much better than sponge bathing alone. I can tell you even from my own experience that sponge bathing is definitely not enough because again, there still going to be an odor
This is one of my greatest concerns as well, especially since my husband is incontinent "both ways". I use the nonrinse shampoo and soap, but have also purchased a sliding shower bench. He is very negative and I know it will be difficult to get him to use it. But his skin is very compromised and something needs to be done. I want to try to do everything I can myself before I have "the talk" with him about a NH.
When my husband was mobile I purchased walkers at resale stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army and a variety of community resale stores. These walkers cost no more than $3.00 I might have paid 4 for a "fancy" blue one. Once in the bathroom after brushing teeth and a shave I would have him switch to the "shower walker" and he would stand in the shower holding onto a sturdy walker. We have the grab bars but having a walker right in front was much easier to grab onto. Later we switched to a shower wheelchair. Much safer than a bench because the chair has a back so there is no chance to fall backwards. A bench would work well if you can place it up against the wall. A shower 1 or 2 times a week is plenty as the skin dries out and the potential for falls increases. Use no rinse products. But keep an eye out for problems. If the skin is not cleaned properly it might not be easily noticed particularly in the peri area. Would they be willing to have "bath help" once or twice a week? It would be safer for them and not that costly especially if you compare it to the cost of a broken hip or arm that a fall may cause.
yes just remember gentle gentle..their bones and skin are fragile...if you can manage there are hair shampoo devices you can use in a bed if necessary.It might be difficult to have them bend over the sink or shower.Yes those flexible shower attachments are a God send..good luck and God bless.
I think that it all depends on the thoroughness of the individual. My dad sponge bathed for years because of a health issue and he was the best smelling man. My mom gets a spa day every week and while she doesn't smell bad she doesn't smell "fresh". So it must have something to do with body chemistry too. My mom comments every week how refreshing her shower is. There are a lot of options out there. There is even a portable shower stall that can be hooked up to a sink and a wheelchair rolled into it. I have had to look into this because I do not have a shower in our downstairs where mom is. She comes up to my shower each week where I have a bench I put in my large shower. I am not sure how much longer she will be able to climb the stairs so I am looking for ideas for the future. I think a shower/bath is mentally refreshing so I will as long as possible get mom to have that time of refreshment.
In 1991 I was in a serious accident, I was caked with blood and concrete, I had been that way for 16 hours. When I was moved to ICU the nurses ask me if there was anything they could do. I requested a sponge bath. As for the elderly, my father-in-law who recently passed away had to be sponged bathed. He could stand up but could not bend over, see or hear. He had a male attendant who bathed him every other day. He had to wear Depends underwear because he urinated on himself. He needed assistance with all his sanitation needs. I only have praise for the people at the assisted living facility for their care and love of the elderly. We are lucky this facility is wonderful, they call my wife every time there is an issue no matter how small.
I worked in a nursing home for years and while a sponge bath is good for folks that are bed ridden but I would echo other comments that it needs to be done right to keep the person clean and their skin healthy. If they are at all ambulatory, there are many solutions to getting a person into a shower. My husband and I just purchased a walk-in tub for my mom. My mom just moved in with us and due to her mobility issues, her hygiene was poor. She LOVES this new tub... its very easy for her to use and she (currently) requires little assistance (which give her a piece of her freedom back). Even a small change like a removable shower head can make a huge difference.
There are companies that convert tubs to showers, and a sponge bath is okay if they use a clean wash cloth every time. At these ages, they have to be very careful not to rub too hard or they might tear the thin skin. There still is no feeling like warm water running over the body to loosen up muscles. Check into the conversion.
Im wondering about this no rinse wash stuff. If you put it on them & don't rinse it off them their dirt & grime PLUS the no rinse stuff all of it is still on their body. Sounds as gross as never taking a bath. If you can put the no rinse stuff on them surley you can put clean water on them to rinse off? Just like with a pool. People put the chemicals in the pool but all the kids pee & snot etc is STILL in there dead or not & eventually your swimming in a vat of chemicals & other ewwies.
Riverowls, the no rinse body wash we use is squirted into the bath water, in our case the sink. When you sponge bath with soap it is hard to remove all of it even with multiple rinses, with the no rinse you simply wash and dry. You are obviously not using just one sink full of water to clean their face, arms, peri area etc.
Just like there are companies that can replace the tub with a shower, I've found some are able to cut a notch in the side of the tub to make it easier to "step through". The cut out is "finished" in a way that no jagged edges are exposed. (Google "Tubcut" for example - but there are others.) It does render the "tub" useless in that you can no longer soak, but it's a matter of what's priority, what you can afford, etc.
TMHCalif. Great idea. My Husband will NOT get in the shower any more. So am going to get some of those no rinse wipes. Also the baby oil could work. Why no soap on the genitals? That is what the visiting nurse recommended.
Hi vicksue, My Mother couldn't manage the tub or shower either and for the last 3 years of her life,she got a sponge bath 2 times a week in her liftchair and it worked out fine.I had a bucket with the things she used and liked in it and certain thinner towels and actually I believe she was kept cleaner with our system,because we weren't racing to get out of the water like she did before and I could give her more attention say,on her legs.I put lotion on those everyday though...It's definitely safer I think and If she's wobbly,get someone to hold her while you bathe her as good and fast as you can if she is able to stand at all.The buckets from her hospital stays were what I used and I'd fill up 2 or 3 with hot water and just take a section of Mother's body and carefully clean and dry it.She had her hair done at the beauty shop once a week for her hair.I think you'll find that it keeps her clean.Take good care,Lu
Heatherb67 - thank you for the tub cut info. When my mother moved in with me she was able to navigate getting into my tub: a tight fit between the safety grab bar on the outside rim, the tub seat (back to the faucet), and an overlapping sink cabinet. Three years later it is very difficult for her to bend her legs to get in & out, and we both dread it. I thought about the walk -in tub but have concerns about her being cold waiting for it to fill and then drain before she can get out. I will definitely check out that alternative.
Oh yeah vicksue...If your Mother can make it to her toilet,one of the best gifts we got Mom was called a Toastie Tush which was a heated toilet seat.She loved it.
My mother is late stages Alzheimers Dementia, along with Parkinsons tremors I am primary caregiverand her daughter. As mom became thinner and weaker, we have installed handicapped bars , hand held shower head, no slip grips in tub, shower chair,etc. I have previously given her a shower with me I standing outside the tub/shower area and reaching in to bathe her as she sits on shower chair. She now gets too cold with me showering her that way. Now I put on my wim suit and stand inside shower with her on her shower chair which helps keep her warmer, and of course the small bathroom they have is like a sauna during this time, but the shower/tub space with both of us, is way too small and I can hardley move or reach around her to bathe her. She absolutely LOVES to SOAK in her bubbles,bath salts,and her aromatherapy oils except I have to stand in tub behind her, hold on to her under her arms, slowly lower her into the tub then stand or kneel in tub behind her so she doesnt slide down under the bubbles due to weak muscles. ANY ideas or suggestions wll be MUCH APPRECIATED! Thank you- Sincerely, Confused24
My mother used a bedside commode (without the pot)in her shower. She could sit and have arm rests on both sides while getting her hair shampooed and parts of her body washed while seated at a comfortable height. She had the grab bars in her shower to stand up and finish her bath. She also had her walker handy when she stepped out of the shower. She had a bath aid three times a week through home health and thoroughly enjoyed her shower. She, like most others, didn't want an aid in the beginning but quickly overcame that resistance because she loved her showers. She knew she needed a shower and wanted it. My aunt has an aid also. She prefers a bath. The aid is there to make sure she doesn't fall getting in and out of the tub and shampoos her hair. She visits with her while she soaks, changes her sheets, gets her laundry started, it's a big help. My aunt doesn't really want the bath but always comes out saying how great she feels. If someone is bed ridden that's one thing but if they are still up and about do them a big favor and insist on a real bath. After a hospital stay is a great time to get them started as they were most likely given showers in the hospital, so make arrangements and keep it going. You might be surprised at how the resistance fades away.
(If either of them is incontinent, that raises additional concerns.)
I use those wipes like a washcloth, without the soap, when I just don't feel like diving into the shower.
A word to anyone looking to install grab bars in the bathroom:
Go online or talk to an expert about how to properly place the bars in a shower or bath. My mom had a visiting therapist who gave me some great tips. Usually around and in the bath/ shower area your dealing with tile or a composite surface. You only want to drill and anchor the bars once.
Don't use the suction type devices. Very dangerous.
If your not handy with tools, fasteners etc. hire someone who is. Nothing could be worse than a grab bar coming loose and an er trip with an elder.
Once in the bathroom after brushing teeth and a shave I would have him switch to the "shower walker" and he would stand in the shower holding onto a sturdy walker. We have the grab bars but having a walker right in front was much easier to grab onto.
Later we switched to a shower wheelchair. Much safer than a bench because the chair has a back so there is no chance to fall backwards. A bench would work well if you can place it up against the wall.
A shower 1 or 2 times a week is plenty as the skin dries out and the potential for falls increases. Use no rinse products. But keep an eye out for problems. If the skin is not cleaned properly it might not be easily noticed particularly in the peri area. Would they be willing to have "bath help" once or twice a week? It would be safer for them and not that costly especially if you compare it to the cost of a broken hip or arm that a fall may cause.
As for the elderly, my father-in-law who recently passed away had to be sponged bathed. He could stand up but could not bend over, see or hear.
He had a male attendant who bathed him every other day. He had to wear Depends underwear because he urinated on himself. He needed assistance with all his sanitation needs. I only have praise for the people at the assisted living facility for their care and love of the elderly. We are lucky this facility is wonderful, they call my wife every time there is an issue no matter how small.
My Mother couldn't manage the tub or shower either and for the last 3 years of her life,she got a sponge bath 2 times a week in her liftchair and it worked out fine.I had a bucket with the things she used and liked in it and certain thinner towels and actually I believe she was kept cleaner with our system,because we weren't racing to get out of the water like she did before and I could give her more attention say,on her legs.I put lotion on those everyday though...It's definitely safer I think and If she's wobbly,get someone to hold her while you bathe her as good and fast as you can if she is able to stand at all.The buckets from her hospital stays were what I used and I'd fill up 2 or 3 with hot water and just take a section of Mother's body and carefully clean and dry it.She had her hair done at the beauty shop once a week for her hair.I think you'll find that it keeps her clean.Take good care,Lu
Thank you- Sincerely, Confused24
My aunt has an aid also. She prefers a bath. The aid is there to make sure she doesn't fall getting in and out of the tub and shampoos her hair. She visits with her while she soaks, changes her sheets, gets her laundry started, it's a big help. My aunt doesn't really want the bath but always comes out saying how great she feels. If someone is bed ridden that's one thing but if they are still up and about do them a big favor and insist on a real bath. After a hospital stay is a great time to get them started as they were most likely given showers in the hospital, so make arrangements and keep it going. You might be surprised at how the resistance fades away.