How to deal with parent who refuses to use proper hygiene?

I have to agree with Eddie. When you have little ones in the house, you have to put THEM and their health first. If there's no alternative than her coming back to your home, then ask the hospital case manager to talk to her about your very valid concerns, and have her/him lay it all out on the line - maybe hearing it from someone else will help drive the point home.

You might not want her back, but she'll probably tell you there's nowhere else to go. And you don't have the heart to put someone out w/o giving them one last chance. Before discharge, give her a quick rundown of the house rules.

Start by posting a WASH YOUR HANDS!!! sign in the bathroom. Insist she wash them before helping with dinner or before sitting down to eat. The woman is putting others' health at risk, so If she's too grand to practice basic hygiene then there's no place for her in your home.

I have learned, from experience it's just a WHOLE lot easier to help them wash their hands( if they'll let you, that is) it saves alot of resentment and issues.