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VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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My sister-in-law is 79 years old and has dimentia. I live in her and help support my brother. I am not able to get her bathe or brush her teeth. Do you have suggestions as to how to get her in a hygiene routine?
Ann, sometimes we need to bite the bullet and hire a "bath aid" from a caregiving agency. These caregivers are really good at getting a person to take a bath/shower. Would this be something that your sister-in-law could afford?
With dementia a variety of things could be happening. The person could become scared of falling in the bathtub or shower... they could dislike the feel of the water coming out of the shower.... and some become claustrophobic to a shower stall.
Some of these hits will provide overlapping/duplicate posts, but there are enough that you can get a good idea how others have addressed the bathing issue.
Look especially for the suggestions on making cleaning a pleasant experience by playing your sister's favorite music, getting her in the mood, and using treats afterward to make the whole experience more pleasant. With dementia, you can't necessarily reason, so try to appeal on a more basic response level.
I'd try the same thing with teeth brushing but also have a dental checkup done to ensure that her teeth aren't in need of attention or that she has other issues which might cause discomfort when eating. You might also consider getting an electric toothbrush and helping her hold it in her mouth.
Does she have any coordination issues that might affect brushing her teeth? Sometimes weakness in arms and just standing and holding a toothbrush can be tiring, so it's easier to just not brush.
You might also consider the "swish and spit" method; get some good quality mouthwash that doesn't smell like a combination of strong medicines and try that. It might at least get some of the accumulated debris from her mouth.
You could also try searching "dementia and bathing", "dementia and hygiene", or similar terms.
But there are a lot of posters here with dementia experience and I'm sure they'll offer suggestions as well, beyond the basic search functions.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
With dementia a variety of things could be happening. The person could become scared of falling in the bathtub or shower... they could dislike the feel of the water coming out of the shower.... and some become claustrophobic to a shower stall.
Search term: "no shower alternatives":
https://www.agingcare.com/search.aspx?searchterm=no+shower+alternativs
Search term: sponge bath alternatives:
https://www.agingcare.com/search.aspx?searchterm=sponge+bath+alternativs
Search term: "no rinse products":
https://www.agingcare.com/search.aspx?searchterm=no+rinse+products
Search term: "bathing elders":
https://www.agingcare.com/search.aspx?searchterm=bathing elders
Search term: "elder won't bathe:"
https://www.agingcare.com/search.aspx?searchterm=elder+won%27t+bathe
Some of these hits will provide overlapping/duplicate posts, but there are enough that you can get a good idea how others have addressed the bathing issue.
Look especially for the suggestions on making cleaning a pleasant experience by playing your sister's favorite music, getting her in the mood, and using treats afterward to make the whole experience more pleasant. With dementia, you can't necessarily reason, so try to appeal on a more basic response level.
I'd try the same thing with teeth brushing but also have a dental checkup done to ensure that her teeth aren't in need of attention or that she has other issues which might cause discomfort when eating. You might also consider getting an electric toothbrush and helping her hold it in her mouth.
Does she have any coordination issues that might affect brushing her teeth? Sometimes weakness in arms and just standing and holding a toothbrush can be tiring, so it's easier to just not brush.
You might also consider the "swish and spit" method; get some good quality mouthwash that doesn't smell like a combination of strong medicines and try that. It might at least get some of the accumulated debris from her mouth.
You could also try searching "dementia and bathing", "dementia and hygiene", or similar terms.
But there are a lot of posters here with dementia experience and I'm sure they'll offer suggestions as well, beyond the basic search functions.