Raw skin on FIL's bottom. Any suggestions?

Hm, my answer was based on him being able to think things through, dementia complicates things. Often outsiders can accomplish what family can not, whoever is his healthcare advocate needs to talk to his doctors about setting up a bath aid and visiting nurse to check his skin breakdown.

Can his children get POA and/or guardianship of your FIL? It doesn't sound like he's able to care for himself anymore. My mother quit bathing (stage 5 Alz.) because I think she thought she'd fall or plain just forgot.

Can someone get him to a doctor (preferably a gerontologist or geriatric psychiatrist) to be mentally evaluated. I'm sure he's embarrassed about his condition but he will need to have his skin treated to prevent infections. Call his doctor and get him involved. Maybe he can tell your FIL that he will need help to clear up his raw skin.

Often the elderly don't realize how "dirty" they are and they very much resent your involvement in their personal hygiene (or lack of it). It's a tough time. Maybe he can be placed in an assisted living facility once he's been diagnosed that he can no longer care for himself.

Yes, he is thin. He is battling Stage 3b lung cancer as well as progressing dementia -- both his and MIL. And the ONLY help he will accept is being driven to/from medical appointments and prepared plates of food. I worry about the raw skin not only because of the discomfort but also because of the health risk. Can't remember the last time he bathed.

Is he thin? Emaciated? If so, it also might be friction that's causing it. I was surprised when learning that this was an issue b/c of my father's weight loss. Staff at the last rehab used some type of barrier cream to protect the skin.

We don't need to scratch trees like bears emerging from hibernation do to wear our skin down. Just being thin if not emaciated can apparently cause reddish skin, and pressure ulcers, as I learned from rehab staff, and followup medical care.

I'm in the process of getting either foam, or a soft pillow, or something to protect the skin. This is also happening to my father's spine.

Do what you can to help him keep clean, get him some baby wipes if you are sure he will remember not to flush them and make certain he is bathing/showering periodically. Any of the creams used for infant diaper rash will be soothing and preventative.