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My dad is the main caregiver. My mom has started wearing the same clothes, and they aren't always clean. If we gently suggest she try something different, she gets very combatative so I just let it drop. My dad is unable to convince her either.
I'd like to do something fun to get her to wear clean clothes but it's becoming a battle. I also am noticing she isnt always clean.. and again, my dad doesnt want to start a battle..
Thoughts: tips?

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So, has she been to a geriatric neurologist and/or psychiatrist? Has she been diagnosed with dementia? What meds are being prescribed to combat the combativeness?
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Yes, yes, and namenda.
She is about 5 yrs into the dx.
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I don't think Namenda is going to get to the combativeness. Have you reported this change in mental status to her doctors? In my experience (and mind you, it's with vascular dementia only) a change in mental status means that perhaps there's a UTI, or a new stage happening which is in need of treatment.
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I to had and have the same issue with my mum (82 yrs old with Alzheimers). I struggled with her changing her clothes that were dirty. What I do now is tell her I'm doing a load of washing and ask her if she needs anything done, she gives me bits and pieces to wash (as she no longer knows how to operate the washing machine) and I also suggest, what about the clothes your wearing?, She usually agrees, I found that if I suggested she was dirty it offended her, how silly of me, I would also take offence to that. I now jokingly say things like isn't it annoying when you put something on that's clean and you get it dirty, never mind it happens to me all the time. I also make an appt for her to get her hair washed and set once a week -I tell her she deserves to be pampered. She washes herself in bits and pieces -with a flannel , on the odd occassion when she is calm and happy she will agree to a shower.
I found that I used to stress too much about her cleanliness, I have since adopted the attitude that a little dirt won't hurt, in the past when she was young they only bathed weekly, sometimes, so stress less.
I hope this has helped, you are not alone. Hugs
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