Problems showering; is this normal?

Elderly lose depth perception so showering is difficult because they dont feel safe. The PT and OT that came to the house suggested a bright tub mat with decals around the tub.

Welcome! You probably won’t be surprised to find that this is a common topic on the site. If you click on ‘care topics’ on the right hand top of the screen, then on ‘H’ for hygiene, and you will find 16 articles, 340 questions and 19 discussions about problems you will be able to relate to. If your problem is different, come back for more support. Many of us will understand only too well!

Welcome to the forum, I think you will find many helpful answers here!

Yes, change in hygiene and resistance to showering is very common. Depending on the person you may be able to tell your father a "therapeutic fib" to motivate him to shower, like someone is coming to visit, you're going out somewhere, going to church, etc. In my family that worked for a while but then we resorted to hiring an agency to come in to get my aunt to shower once a week. There is no point in having a lot of drama over it since your dad just can't help it, and you need to reduce your stress as you attempt to care for him. Your father is very young, and so I gently suggest that you start considering in-home help or a care facility for him as he will just get worse and his needs increase greatly. Your first responsibility is to your wife (and kids if you have any). You should not be orbiting around your father, as this will start to happen very subtly and before you know it you are exhausted and burnt out. Please read the thousands of posts on this website written by loving children struggling to care for parents with dementia and coming to the point of burn out. Please don't let that be you. Blessings!