She lives in a 2 story home in Seattle/Everett, WA area and there is only a half bath on first floor. She has been sleeping on couch since she got out of hospital and can’t make it upstairs to the shower. She has not washed her hair in a month. I want to help her but I live 1,200 miles away! Her husband and son are taking care of her.
How old is your sister? Is she the one telling you her hair isn't getting washed? She needs to get her live-in family members to figure this out, not you.
I understand that you're concerned for your sister but if 2 people living right there can't make it happen then what are you supposed to do from so far away? None of this story seems right from your sister's end.
More information would be helpful.
NO-RINSE body-hair wash is available so she doesn't need to get out of bed.
Caps sold via Amazon that you place on your head to wash hair.
Depending on some salons they may have a person willing to come out to the home to do hair - for a fee. When my daddy was ill and could not get out of the bed I called the salon and they came out and cut his hair - I paid the regular fee and tipped her a lot because she had to bring her portable salon items. It was worth it!
A medical bed is a good idea! I didn't even think of that!
Yes! They can have a medical supply company deliver it, set it up on the first floor of the house, then pick up when no longer needed.
Doctor's order (prescription) will be needed for this.
Your sister should not be sleeping on a couch. That is unacceptable. She must have a hospital bed that can be raised and lowered and that has side rails. This is the only way a person can safely be given a bedbath and have their hair washed. Get her a hospital bed. Rent one. I am shocked that she was discharged from rehab or a hospital to home without any measures taken to make her home safe.
When she has a hospital bed, her hair can be washed with regular shampoo and here's how.
1) On a drawsheet, pull the person as high up in the bed as possible so the end of the mattress is where their neck is. Then raise the foot of the bed to the highest position comfortable so they don't slide down.
2) Set up a table with containers of warm water next to the bed.
3) I always used a large outdoor cooler to catch the water. Position it right at the end.
4) Then shampoo the hair as you would any person. Then rinse. After you're done pull the cooler into the kitchen and empty it.
Also, when my mom was with me, I read to put water in a spray bottle
to wet the hair. Use another spray bottle with water and shampoo.
Then, use just the bottle with water to rinse. Also, a wet washcloth can to used to rinse. Like what you would do for a baby.
My mom passed before I could try it.
However, unless her husband and son have no arms, I don't understand why they can't shampoo her hair. Good grief.
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