looking for hygiene video recommendations

Timmyd

The last couple of months it has gotten really hard to help DW with cleaning up after using toilet, and with bathing.

I have tried different approaches, but they generally all end at the same place. At some point my patience ends. I just take over and do what needs to be done and she has her meltdown.

I watched a few videos and read some articles, but none of the advice is working. I still work from home full time. I prefer not to spend hours and hours looking at videos for the right one.

I know that in some circumstances, there may not be an approach that results in compliance. I just want to be sure I have made sufficient effort looking for a successful approach before I just conclude DW meltdowns are just going to be part of me providing help with hygiene.

blacksparky

I am in the same situation as you are. What took only 15 minutes to shower for my DW only a month ago, now is a battle that takes over an hour. This morning I just let her do her thing. She finally ended up in the shower fully clothed in her pajamas but at least she was in the shower. I then calmly mentioned that I needed her clothes f so I I could wash them. To my surprise she took them off and handed them to me. Getting my DW ready each morning is definitely the hardest part of my day so far. I too would be interested in any advise on how to make things easier.

SDianeL

Bathing problems are very common with dementia. This is one of the most challenging aspects of caregiving in my opinion. The PWD forgets when they last showered and think they just showered, they don't remember how to shower, are they afraid to shower or it actually hurts their skin. Once you've tried all the tips, you're correct that there will be melt downs. If your loved one is not on medication to calm them, that might help them be more compliant. It works for some. Worth a try. Talk to her doctor and explain the behavior. Sometimes they will be more compliant with an outside caregiver than with their spouse or primary caregiver. Might try a professional caregiver with experience in dementia care. Hygiene and incontinence issues are why many are no longer able to care for their loved ones and make the difficult decision to place them in memory care. For others who may not know the tips: select 1-2 days a week & tell your LO that it's "our" shower day, get everything ready (wash cloth, body wash, towel), turn on the water warm not hot, have a chair in the shower and a hand held shower wand, if they get in the shower, take their clothes to the laundry. Some have success with taking a shower together. Depends or adult diapers are a must for incontinence issues. A bidet for toilet cleanups and large wipes. There are disposable pads that go around the base of the toilet to catch drips or accidents.

jfkoc

Here is Teepa Snow on showering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKT9YIVPREE

Other tips: talk about a treat after the shower…have a shower chair…hand held shower (water from over head can be frightening…shower together…share choice of clothes for after the shower

M5M

I believe DH is getting closer to shower reluctance in the near future, so I am following this topic for sure.

I would suggest you might look at another concept….a TV app that is made for dementia patients. I downloaded it on my laptop but the 25 year old TV he watches is too old to accept the app….It loaded on our newer Smart TV. Nonetheless, Zinnia TV has numerous videos that are made for the patient…the pace and tone of the video is a bit slower than normal TV. There are topics on a variety of ADL. I have not looked to see if they have showering but I know there are some other hygiene topics. I think it costs $10 a month, you can take a free trial for 2 weeks. There are also lots of entertainment videos from 5 minutes to an all day choice.

Carl46

My wife had a lifelong aversion to being wet and didn't shower for the last couple of years of her life. I resolved this with a no-rinse foam cleanser called "Remedy." It cleans and conditions hair and skin. I just sprayed some foam in my hand and cleaned the stinky parts. It looks and smells like shave foam, and has some of the same ingredients, but is hypoallergenic and tear free. She didn't smell bad and didn't develop rashes or other signs of uncleanliness. The manufacturer is Medline. www.medline.com

I have used this stuff on myself. No problem.