If your loved one is in memory care, do you cut his/her fingernails or does someone else?

The staff at mom's nursing home did cut her fingernails but they did such a terrible job at it that I requested that they stop doing it and took care of it myself...

My brother or I usually took care of my father's nails when he was in MC pre-CV. There was a nail tech who came around each week and would take care of toe and finger nails, offering everything from a clean and buff service up to a full manicure. Dad liked the service but he didn't like "waiting" for an appointment; when he wanted his nails taken care of he wanted it NOW!

I do cut and manicure my 97 year old mothers fingernails. I am extremely careful. I give her a hand massage and she loves it. She stopped years ago getting her nails done from a salon, although not a long time customer, due to allergic reaction to the supplies. Had to take her to dermatologist. She sees a podiatrist for her toenails, she is a diabetic and one should not cut diabetics toenails. due to a possible cut that could lead to an infection or worse.

States require a certification in order to perform what is considered nail care. From a website I found: "The shortest route to working as a manicurist in the U.S. is to earn a nail technician license, which requires the successful completion of a formal nail technician program or apprenticeship and a nail technician licensing exam." So, not just anyone in a facility can do their nails. In my MIL's facility, only family is allowed, besides the podiatrist and the nail tech in their salon. I'm thinking most licensed nail techs don't see the elderly as a profitable clientele, plus the liability of injury from their meds (blood thinners like lealonnie mentioned) and their unpredictable behaviors.

I have been surprised at how nobody does nail care. My mom's fingers on one hand are permanently curved in and cutting her nails is really hard. But I've had to trim them myself. I did buy a nail trimmer with a magnifying glass but I'm always worried I'll cut her finger. She does have a lady who does her toenails.

It's too dangerous for manicurists and care givers to cut resident's nails. Lots of them are on blood thinners..........so cutting a nail too short can cause excessive bleeding and a trip to the ER. My mother lives in Memory Care AL and has her toenails clipped every 3 months by a visiting podiatrist. Nobody cuts her fingernails; the manicurist and/or the staff at the ALF can use an emery board on her, or, she can use one on herself. Sometimes, the care givers give her a manicure & nail polishing on Wednesday's and that's when the emery board comes out. If she sees the manircurist herself (once they're allowed back in), then she can get a real manicure but again, not with nail clipping but just filing. It's good enough.

I have a similar dilemma - my dad is in assisted living and knows his nails are too long but due to advanced macular degeneration is unable to see his hands in front of his face. I've always cut his nails - with him screaming like a child. I'm pretty certain if someone else did it for him he'd be better behaved. I've asked the podiatrist if they would do it for me but they said no. Now, with the Covid lockdown I can't even imagine how long his nails are.

I don't understand how caregivers in AL and MC can help with activities of daily living such as bathing, shaving, etc yet be unable to trim someone's fingernails. And what do people do that don't have local family/friend help to do it for them?

Does the facility have a salon? Residents can get their hand nails done there, but only if they're cooperative. My MIL is in LTC and the podiatrist comes every 90 days (which is too long a time) and only does her feet, and not very well. She has enough left over from Medicaid to allow a salon visit in the facility.