Need suggestions for helping husband with grooming. Any ideas?

Thank you all, I feel better that everyone agrees that this is a problem. The nursing home is not consistent with anything re: personal care. A new DON has just started and I listed all these concerns. She is going to ask the physician, again but for regularly scheduled dosage regime. (The physician is part of a practice that bought the nursing home about 2 years ago.). I will request a psychiatrist consult from as well.

Medicare does not cover dental, like regular cleanings, fillings, etc. Medicaid does. And NH usually have a dentist, podiatrist and eye doctor come in regularly. Most have hairdressers. The nails, I am not sure of but I do know that usually staff are not allowed to cut them. Not sure if a hairdresser would be either. I did my Moms and a podiatrist did her toenails.

Is the doctor associated with the NH? Did u go thru the DON? Private Dr., then I may find another Dr. The DON should be well aware of how ur husband is. If you had requested Ativan, maybe the DON should request it. As said, if he is anxious all the time, that is not good for him.

Medicare covers podiatrist and dental care, but I’m never sure whether this is by state or not. For my LO there were co-pays, but the specialists were great.

That said, NOTHING has happened in the last year because of Covid.

If the staff doctor at the residence is refusing, I might consider an attempt to over ride him using an outside geriatric psychiatrist.

ALSO, if the uncooperative physician is a generalist, could you request social services to give you a connection to THEIR choice of geriatric psychiatrist, hopefully someone who would be more cooperative with you?

It’s not a good sign about his nursing home care that they haven’t addressed his grooming. My mother’s NH had a hairdresser who came twice a week, used a room that was set up as a salon, and took care of residents. It sounds like your husband needs a med for anxiety regularly and not just for grooming. A different kind of doctor is needed like a geriatric psychiatrist

A facility is required to do oral care. Although that is not always easy. If they are doing no oral care that is a discussion to have with the Director.
Depending on the laws in your state they might not be able to do nail care other than filing the nails any more. (both feet and hands)
When the facility showers him they should also be cleaning the nails just soap and water I do not think they can use a nail brush, again check state laws.
I would get a different doctor if the one that he has refuses to give medication for his anxiety. And chances are it would probably be needed prior to them showering or bathing him.
Your friend that is a beautician can also do his nails.