As for the brushing of teeth you might look into those disposable oral swabs. they are not usually expensive and will help bunches. I used them on Luz because she would only brush the lower teeth and the uppers looked like the dickens. I also used them to get fluids into her, like water later on when she would bite the drinking straw.
I gave her sponge baths while she would stand next to her bed. Because she no longer understood what bathing was and, to clean her when she needed changing. I just carried a pan of water to her and washed as best I could.
FrenchSusy see from your profile that your hubby is 89 years old and has Alzheimer's/Dementia. We need to step into their shoes for a few minutes.
As we age many of us are finding it more difficult to shower. I have noticed for myself that taking a shower is like going to the gym, and here I use to be a gym rat. It can be very exhausting for many seniors. Especially with your hubby having memory lost.
Another thing, some seniors become claustrophobic when in a shower. Especially if there are glass doors. I know for myself, I need to keep the far door open a couple of feet.
Then there is the fear of falling. If your hubby is using a moisturizing liquid soap and/or hair conditioners, it will make the floor of the tub/shower feel like an ice rink, even with a tub mat inside.
Towel drying isn't easy. I find myself hopping around trying to get one foot and leg dry, can be a challenge. So easy to get one's feet tangled up in the towel.
Then if hubby needs to blow dry his hair, that can be tiring on his arms.
Whew !!
An elder doesn't need to shower daily, twice a week or once a week is good enough, unless they are doing hard labor. If hubby is a Depends wearer, baby wipes work quite well between showers.
As for brushing his teeth, see what flavors of toothpaste are available for kids. He might enjoy the sweeter flavors.
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I also used them to get fluids into her, like water later on when she would bite the drinking straw.
I gave her sponge baths while she would stand next to her bed. Because she no longer understood what bathing was and, to clean her when she needed changing.
I just carried a pan of water to her and washed as best I could.
As we age many of us are finding it more difficult to shower. I have noticed for myself that taking a shower is like going to the gym, and here I use to be a gym rat. It can be very exhausting for many seniors. Especially with your hubby having memory lost.
Another thing, some seniors become claustrophobic when in a shower. Especially if there are glass doors. I know for myself, I need to keep the far door open a couple of feet.
Then there is the fear of falling. If your hubby is using a moisturizing liquid soap and/or hair conditioners, it will make the floor of the tub/shower feel like an ice rink, even with a tub mat inside.
Towel drying isn't easy. I find myself hopping around trying to get one foot and leg dry, can be a challenge. So easy to get one's feet tangled up in the towel.
Then if hubby needs to blow dry his hair, that can be tiring on his arms.
Whew !!
An elder doesn't need to shower daily, twice a week or once a week is good enough, unless they are doing hard labor. If hubby is a Depends wearer, baby wipes work quite well between showers.
As for brushing his teeth, see what flavors of toothpaste are available for kids. He might enjoy the sweeter flavors.
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