Powder recommendation

May flowers

As much as my FIL wiggles in his Geri chair, I am thinking dusting the chair with powder would reduce friction. I tried one with cornstarch but it made me sneeze non-stop, I don’t know if it was the fragrance or what. One person I know recommended baking powder, but I wasn’t sure, so I wanted to see if you all have a recommendation. Thanks!

Stuck in the middle

Cornstarch is used as a lubricant for rubber gloves.  I haven't tried it on a chair, but I'll bet it would work.  Just so it doesn't make him slide out onto the floor.

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ZackFootInMouth

Why do they wiggle? Do they want a butt groove in the seat? Itchy bum? Are they wiggling to get in or get out?

harshedbuzz

MF-

This isn't meant as snark, but I assume he's wearing something on his bottom? So this isn't something meant to lessen friction and potential damage to his skin?

You may never know why he is engaging in this repetitive behavior. Why are you looking to do something? Is the behavior creating a sound that annoys you or something? (no judgment)

It seems to me if this is a garden variety Geri-Chair that lessening the resistance/friction could potentially make it more difficult for him to maintain any semblance of an upright posture and be potentially dangerous. 

HB

May flowers

Victoria, we have tried pads and cushions, including an alternating air pad, he really dislikes them and tries to slide out of his chair. 

HB, his bottom is covered but his gowns open on the back so it’s his back (bare skin) against the chair vinyl. I didn’t think it was an issue until one of my caregivers said the friction would damage his skin on his back. So that’s why I was thinking about powder on the back of the chair

I’ve tried tying the gown and putting a bedpad on the back of the chair, but then he tries to slide out. The friction may be what is keeping him from sliding more, though. Or maybe he just doesn’t like the feel of something on his back. I don’t know, honestly. It’s sure not worth more agitation for him.

He leans forward to reposition himself so I don’t think it is as much an issue as the caregiver thinks. The hospice nurse does not think it’s an issue. 

harshedbuzz

MF-

Ok, now that makes sense. I wonder if the wriggling is a function of itchy skin. I would look to treating him rather than the chair.

Older people can have very dry skin that itches. My mom's derm calls it "senile xerosis" which she finds insulting.

I wonder if the hospital gown triggers or makes him aware of it. Have you tried a rich cream on the skin? Cetaphil in the tub is a good one for getting the dryness under control. Or you might find the Gold Bond Anti-Itch Powder or Lotion useful if this is the issue? The latter 2 have menthol and really distract from itching. 

HB

May flowers

 Hi again, HB,

He for sure has itchy skin. We are treating it with Zyrtec and I keep him slathered with Eucerin cream daily. Some of the problem is that some caregivers don’t  rinse off soap well enough after bed baths - that makes him so dry and crazy itchy. I am limiting bed baths now to a caregiver I know does it right and myself, and only 2 a week. I will look into the anti itch powders you mentioned. Thanks!

I believe he also has RLS and it is the cause of a lot of his wiggling - because it’s not as much side to side but up and down, lifting his legs up in the air, and he complains of his legs tingling and crawling. I have added iron to his diet and it is helping some.  

He also has sensory issues, I think. You have heard of the Princess and the Pea story? I swear he would feel a grain of salt underneath his mattress, lol. He cannot stand to even feel the string or a snap of a hospital gown  or fold/wrinkle in a bed bad. The alternating air pad under his bottom really made him nuts. If he finds a crumb on his clothes, he will pick it off and play with it for hours. But won’t touch a fidget toy. 

I feel like everyday is a puzzle.

harshedbuzz

The Eucerin is a good choice.

I found as dad's dementia progressed her reminded me more and more of a person with autism. He had a lot of sensory issues, too. He struggled with "crowds" (more than 2 people talking), bright light, food textures and even the feel of certain kinds of clothing. 

I wonder if the hospital gowns are an issue. Are they 100% cotton, nicely broken in and laundered in fragrance-free detergent?

HB

mommyandme (m&m)

MF, haha, I’ve described my mom with the Princess and the Pea analogy too, many times.

May flowers

HB, very similar. I have told caregivers to please don’t try and do more than one thing at a time with him. He even gets out of sorts if music plays while he’s eating. One lady talks incessantly, has music blaring, tv going, fidget toys in front of him and it takes a good hour for him to calm after her shift. He gets upset if DH and I have a conversation around him. He really hates the TV now and all the noise, music, and conversations there.

Gowns are cotton/soft, we tried fragrance free - no change, he’s also had issues with regular shirts, pajama shirts, even with tagless shirts the seams of the shirts bother him, a wrinkle in a sheet bothers him. It goes on and on.