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daughter52 Asked September 2013

How do you stop the hassle about showering or bathing?

My mother HATES showers and baths. It's not the safety, she just doesn't like the water on her head. It's always a hassle to get her to shower/bathe. She gets mad telling me she doesn't like showering 'every day'. She doesn't--it's every 3 or 4 (if I push the issue). I tried setting aside a day for shower and each time it's dirty looks and an argument. Anyone else have this issue?

Jinx4740 Sep 2013
Search on this website. It is a common problem. There have been many good suggestions. Search for shower, bath, or shampoo.

kathyt1 Sep 2013
Sponge baths is the answer. Have two buckets or bowls of hot water, one to clean, one to rinse. Do the top sitting down. Have her hold on to her walker and throughly wash the bottom. Be quick. Keep her warm, crank the heat up, have a warm terry towel to throw over her shoulders till you are done. I use Dove soap, the liquid kind, it's faster than regular soap, and doesn't dry my Dad's skin. Once a week, i insist on a sponge bath. I give a choice that night or the next morning. Every night, while helping with pajamas i give my dad a washcloth to do his gential area. It works. he still bitches, but he is clean. Keep neosporin handy, any sign of a scab, or sore put on the neosporin.

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surprise Sep 2013
Most homes seem to be ok with once a week since elders are not going out jogging around the block every am. My mthr will only wash in the sink unless the staff goes in to watch her... They keep a record of it that she does not know about so they can keep her clean by the calendar.

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