My friend wears Depends and frequently soils them. How do I clean her properly without embarrassing her or me? She is a large lady and is sitting on or standing by the toilet when I am cleaning her.
A hand held shower attachment to the shower is wonderful. You can spray her down in the shower. I use liquid Dove soap as you can get a lot on the washcloth fast. I wash the bottom half, butt, genitals legs then a quick spray to rinse, soft terry towel to quickly dry and your done. If you don't have a shower attachment, use have a wet washcloth to rinse. Be matter of fact , use humor to diffuse the tension. It's an act of love. You are a good friend doing what good friends do. Take the attitude; you and she have nothing to be embarrassed about. Your doing your friend a great service. By cleaning her you are preventing sores that could land her in a nursing home. If she was depressed you would take her to lunch and give her a shoulder to cry on. This is no different. You are a kind, loving, compassionate friend she is lucky to have you.
I just started taking care of a 93 yeah old sweet woman with dementia today. I have NO experience with caring for elderly. I watched today, as a CNA was showering her in the shower, on a shower chair. Can anyone give me advice on how to really get in the cracks, and crevices, and do a thorough job cleaning privates? She is so stiff, and it seems like it will be difficult. Thanks!
I always wash with a shower sprayer held in hand, that shut off, by a little push button on the head of sprayer, you can adjust the temp. and it will stay there. have patient hold the sprayer, or let it laid next to the shower bench and they also have transfers bath bench, about $150.00 or if the patient own a bath commode that she uses by bed, you can use it , just remove the plastic bowl that come with it and set the commode frame inside the shower if she has one that help when especially you need to spray underneath, just let the patient help, if she can wash her self, if not they sell plastic suction handle, at the drug store, $12.95, tell the people you work for. what you will need any special soap or body lotion they adjust to ceramic tile or glass and have them stand holding on while you use spray and a give her the wash cloth. if they can't do it, you will have to. my mother in law is 95 and she has dementia and manage quit well always pat dry their body because the skin is very thin and sometime, will bleed and you need to use a ointment like the kind they use on baby rash, keep a record, so you can report any changes to the care giver, and you will have documentation for your own records. Hope, this help. K.D.
button on the head of sprayer, you can adjust the temp. and it will stay there. have patient hold the sprayer, or let it laid next to the shower bench and they also have transfers bath bench, about $150.00 or if the patient own a bath commode that she uses by bed, you can use it , just remove the plastic bowl
that come with it and set the commode frame inside the shower if she has one
that help when especially you need to spray underneath, just let the patient
help, if she can wash her self, if not they sell plastic suction handle, at the drug store, $12.95, tell the people you work for. what you will need any special soap or body lotion they adjust to ceramic tile or glass and have them stand holding on while you use spray and a give her the wash cloth. if they can't do it, you will have to. my mother in law is 95 and she has dementia and manage quit well always pat dry their body because the skin is very thin and sometime, will bleed
and you need to use a ointment like the kind they use on baby rash, keep a record, so you can report any changes to the care giver, and you will have documentation for your own records. Hope, this help.
K.D.