My Mom and Dad are only taking sponge baths because the shower is too difficult. Is this good enough to keep them clean?

Often local ywca or ymca has affiliate. Often is part of OBAMA care MMANO, Medicare Medicaid. Cleck with locan Senior Service Center.

confused24 check your health insurance or theirs if you are checking for parents. Some insurance companies cover it. Just "google" Silver Sneakers

Does anyone know how I am able to obtain information about the "sliver sneakers" program for my mother? We are located in Northern Illinois?
Thanks in advance!

confused24, My Father in Law was in Silver Sneakers for awhile.

Care givee here!! :)
I am 71 (1/2) and relegated to semi-immobile status by COPD. Up until recently, I was able to use our shower with a built-in bench and shower wand. Then, I asked my wife or daughter to don their swimwear and help me out. Much better. I now have a broken foot or blood clot (I'm a mess), so my daughter today gave me an in-bed sponge-type bath to clean up for a doc appointment in the morning. She slathered on lotion, too. So all is peachy. BUT, I really want to bring in some outside in-home care, at least weekly. I despise being so dependent on my wife and daughter. They are troupers, but still.

I think some of these ideas will be so helpful for me when mom won't be able to go upstairs. Thank you for the encouragement!

I personally thank all of you for your wonderful and thoughtful very caring ways to bathe my mother. We have tried meny of them and mom is a real trouper as we find ways together to better and improve our technique. I have not heard of the "Silver Sneakers" program but I am definately sure my mother would be 100% on board wth me regarding joining a program like that so she is able to get out of the house, see some new sites and sounds, and I am sure, my mother, "Social Butterfly" herself, will have many wonderful conversations with a few new faces.
How am I to locate information about this program or any others that are similar?
I will contact my local township tomorow and fnd out if they have any information as well.
Thank you all in advance- "confused24"

A thorough sponge bath should be a cleansing as getting in a tub or under a shower. All of the skin should be cleaned well. As was mentioned, there are no- rinse products and large wipes available if you want to go that route, but a bowl of warm water and a soft cloth would work. Just dry the areas quickly and keep the person warm as you move along.
Carol

I use a basin of warm water and baby wipes on my loved ones privates. Some times Dove soap, and plain water n a wash cloth for everything else.
I was curious about the answer to your question myself
I got one of those inflatable tubs. Its more trouble than its worth. what is helpful tho is the shower nozzle n hose. I'm able to give him a shower in bed, just have to change all the sheets, but he prefers the bed baths from a basin.

The best way is to have the elder get in their bed. Get a small tub of hot, soapy water (though not really hot since they can't handle it, quite possbly) and bathe them, then dry them. At this point, they may not realize/nor care that you're seeing their naked bodies.

When my Mom was no longer able to get up the stairs to the full bathroom (her bedroom was on the first floor with the LR, kitchen and half-bath), and even when she was in a wheelchair, we went to the gym. Her Medicare allowed a membership to a 'Silver Sneakers' gym where we used the handicap shower room. It was private, roomy and warm. After dressing and drying her hair, we'd go into the workout room and I'd use the treadmill, etc., and she'd spend 40 minutes in the company of healthy, vibrant, active people who didn't just sit around watching TV. I think it did a lot for her mental health. Of course, this would only work with a loved one of the same sex, but it sure made life easy for us up until just about the very end. I got a 'senior' membership even though I wasn't on Medicare yet, and even without that, members can often get guest passes or pay $5-10 for a day pass. At that rate, it was cheaper than paying an aide $25 an hour with a minimum of 4 hours to just bathe Mom (which I did do once or twice to see how it was supposed to be done).
When we couldn't get out because of weather, etc., I sponged Mom down in the half bath with her standing in a large plastic storage tub where I could rinse her off properly. I'd sometimes alternate days/top and bottom because of varying strength levels (hers and mine), and wash her hair in the sink. Truly, where there's a will, there's a creative solution. My mother's skin was smooth, clear and supple, and I only used pure Dr. Bronner's pH liquid soap.

Mother eventually avoided baths, so a sponge bath with her standing in the kitchen (!) was what worked best for us. We used soap, but I'd rinse it off well. We would wash her hair in the sink, like she did growing up. Later when she was in a care facility, I realized that she seldom took real baths, even there. First thing in the morning when she sat on the toilet, her caregiver had Mom extend her arms and legs to get a quick sponge bath. She was happy as a lark to do that, but I'm sure bathing would have caused a ruckus. She always smelled fresh so we were all happy.

Lots of good info here. What I do for my mom, her knees are fused with arthritis so moving her legs is not easy. We use her 3-in-1 chair to bathe. While I change her, she's incontinent, I'll say why don't we give you a bath now. So I get a couple of large wash cloths and a bath scrubbie. I don't do here hair every time, but when I do I get a wash cloth soaking wet and wet down her hair, then I'll add a little shampoo and rub her hair with it. I'll give her the unused washcloth to cover her eyes, so she doesn't get shampoo in her eyes. Then I'll rinse her hair with that washcloth (it doesn't have shampoo on it) I'll do her face and ears. Rinse and could apply her cold cream to her face while I do the rest of her body. Her doctor says her skin is fragile so I don't scrub her like I used to, but I get the scrubbie nice and soapy and rub her body gently and foamy (for her I like to use a baby wash. I'll do her back and rinse that off. Then her arms, underarms, and her front and rinse. I'll do her legs and feet. For her private areas I like to use baby wipes with just a little soap added , and the perinel rinse spray in those very private areas, and this is where that 3 in one chair comes real handy because she'll hold on to the arms of the chair and stand while I clean that area and rinse it off. I'll check for sores and ulcers and treat them . If I notice that her skin is very dry I'll use lotion on her back and front. (Don't want lotion on her arms and feet until she is back in her wheelchair). Hope this helps you. The doctor says it's fine if she doesn't bathe every day, she doesn't get dirty. If it's a real good day I'll place her chair in the shower and use a small bowl to get the warm water over her skin.

It's fine as long as you use a little soap and get that soap off of them, it can be drying. It wasn't that long ago when people still didn't have running water in their homes, my husband grew up in a house that did not have running water, and of course no showers either. I agree with another comment that the older people get the more uncomfortable they are with showers/bath soaks, they get cold, and afraid of falling, don't blame them. There's also a lack of a bathing access in some homes. Adult wipes are good in between sponge baths.

When tubs and showers become difficult, that's what those walk-in tubs are for, use them, they are much safer than a traditional tub or shower. I've also seen in some magazine pictures where showers are customized for wheelchairs. The floor is actually uniquely designed where there is no lip to step over, much like some commercial buildings may have. These kinds of tubs and showers are handicapped friendly and very inviting. The handicapped friendly showers can even include bathing seats you can get just about anywhere. They can be portable or built-in. You can usually look around at private sales or even thrift shops and they're very likely to pop up for little to nothing. Sometimes people do throw them out and sometimes they're still good when you find them on the curb. If you do find one on the curb, check it out very carefully to make sure it's OK but clean it up if you pick it up

Walmart. Walmart. Walmart. Mom's occupational therapist showed us all the wonderful, reasonably priced, medical aids that Walmart offers online. She said most people don't know about it. There is also a grab bar that screws tight to the side of the tub and can be removed at any time without damage to the tub. We got a portable bath lift that works great. Mom's hips are crumbling and she used it just fine. It rises up taller than the tub. (you control it with a waterproof device) The person sits on it and you lower them into the bath water. Works great and folds up if you want to remove it from the tub. You don't have to permanently reconstruct the bathroom at all. Saved us a fortune.

I recently heard somewhere that suction grab bars are really not safe. I hate to imagine how many people have actually had them give out and lose suction only to let the user down. I hate to know just how many people have actually had very serious related injuries from suction grab bars and I thank they should be pulled from the market altogether.

Use hair conditioner good rub down use micro fleece wash cloths to rinse off . castile soap added with lavender antifungal. Also scrub with pulp side grapefriuit vit c and oil added to skin help w chapping and astringent cleans skin great . put showercurtin under bathtowel pillows side to prop keeps from getting bed wet etc..
Splitseat potty chair great for peri care or just on the john if problem disrobing. Ive had to catch em with em down to do peri care and how I do it without a fight.

Please54 incontinence is a qualificatiob for LTC LonTermCare at home is called HBHCW homebased health care waiver used to be homebound but changed with quality afforidable HCA. Medicaid will pay LTC and also Skilled Nursing. Assistance level qualifies. Yes pays for 5 pkg 1+ per wk and disposable and reuseable bed pads will also by sheets hospital type I got queen size flat so used it underneath. This is Nov end of appling for LTC do now . only does once a year applications due Nov. . hope this answers your question. If need more info let me know you should have a monthly medical otc amount also ask pharmacist about that.
Oh just remembered term. Disbosable medical equipment is what the attends, incontinent nebulizer supplies, etc. come under.

Absolutely! They're the same thing, except more comfortable. Get a "chuck" or disposable "peach pad" under them as wash and rinse one body part at a time. Use a thin sheet for privacy on the parts you're not washing yet. For the private parts, you can rinse by soaking half a towel in warm (NOT HOT) water and squeezing the whole thing onto your LO. It will feel wonderful and If you have a chuck or peach pad under them you don't have to worry about the bed getting wet.

When Mom had an aide, she came 3x a week. Mom had a walk-in shower. At the AL, she gets it 2x a week and a washing of just the top the other days. My daughter is an RN in a rehab facility and says 2x is normal since patients don't exert themselves. Your parents probably didn't bathe everyday when they were growing up.

I have used the suction bar. I had a man pull on it and just about pulled my insert off the wall. Just get in the habit of checking them before ur parent users it. They are only good on a smooth service. I would have a professional install bars. They need to be hooked into a stud. I worked for a Visiting Nurse facility where we loaned out medical equipment. Most people like a no back shower chair. Easier to get to your back. If u have enough floor space, there are ones were the seat comes out of the tub and once the person sits, you can push the into the tub. This was great for a friend who had lost her leg.

The trouble with the gentle sponge baths is that dead skin accumulates. That can lead to general discomfort for the patient, particularly itching. Over time, other conditions can develop.

The way I get Mom cleaned up is to fill a basin with hot water and toss in disposable exfoliating facial wipes. Then gently but firmly SCRUB her skin with the warm wipes, doing one section at a time. Bounty paper towels are used to dry each section, rubbing as I go in order to continue removing dead skin. Meanwhile, a big bath towel is draped over the rest of her body to provide warmth and privacy.

For the private parts, I stopped using a barrier cream after a hospice nurse told me that MANY patients develop skin problems because the caregivers/aides rarely fully remove the previous coating before applying another. Instead, I use a no-rinse perineal wash with aloe. It leaves a nice fresh scent and CLEAN skin.

After she's clean, then lotion is applied to all areas except the privates. I combine two products -- Medline Remedy Phytoplex cream (nice scent) and Gold Bond Ultimate Eczema Relief (for dry and scaly spots).

All this is done in Mom's hospital bed here at home.

The only part I have trouble with is rolling her from side to side because she resists and then pushes back when I try to hold her in that position. I've learned how to change her pull-ups (Depend Night Defense) by raising the bed up and pulling her toward me on each side, but need help to access her back. So I do all the other parts myself and then when aides are available they hold her in place on first one side and then the other while I do the wash and lube.

We're hoping to get one of those air mattresses that change pressure points all the time. Meanwhile I use calendula ointment (like Vaseline but with healing herbs added) to prevent/treat sores along Mom's spine and on her heels (covered with soft white socks).

Blessings to all who undertake this challenging work.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.