Useful tips and products
Hello,
I remember seeing a heading like this in our last format, and it was very helpful. People just kept adding helpful hints and they were all under this one topic. I listed a few:
1) Shampoo Caps: These are a blessing for me, as my DH hates to have his hair washed. Thsy are efficient, neat, and they do thoroughly clean hair and scalp with no mess. You can get them on Amazon,
2) Rinse free disposable bath sponges: All you need to activate these is a capful of water and the suds are produced. These are so great for quick and efficient sponge bath. NO RINSING ! Just towel dry. So easy even my reluctant spouse doesn't mind using them. Again, you can get these on Amazon. I have started to keep a few in the glove compartment of the car along with a small container of water.
Hope we cam keep this thread going!
Comments
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ttt
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Hi Jo C,
What does ttt stand for?
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To the top
This takes a dormant thread to the top of the board without adding new comment. It's a way of keeping a thread active and in people's minds.
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Elastic pants and shorts were especially helpful when DH could no longer operate a zipper.
Munchkin brand Miracle 360 Sippy Cup was a no spill solution for DH's drinking pleasure.
Red high sided scoop plate by Providence made it easier for DH to eat independently for quite a while.
Silcone placemat kept the eating area easy to clean.
Adult bibs by ClassyPal.
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Best catalog for adaptive clothing for both females and males with disabilities for both men and women that looks like "normal" clothing: Buck and Buck. Can see the clothing online and also request a catalog be mailed to you.
They will shorten hems at no extra charge and will also put name tags in the clothing at no extra charge; at least when I used them. User friendly and a generous return policy even if items have been altered. They have everything from underwear, to outer clothes, sleepwear, sweaters, shoes and slippers and more. They have a line of clothing that look just like regular clothes with sham buttons and sham zippers but actually close down the back for those who try to undress or access incontinence supplies through their clothing.
J.
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When it comes time for incontinence, try parentgiving.com. They have a wide range of pull ups, diapers, and other supplies. They have some higher quality products than Depends, and you can order samples for $2.99, which gives you 2 pairs of the product you are interested in. I think trying the samples first is the way to go because what works best for us might not be best for you. They are very fast when you place an order, but samples take a little longer to get. If you go to their website, you will find a phone number so you can call for questions and help on picking the right product.
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Layering a bed is a great way to save time getting a dry bed in the middle of the night. First is a waterproof mattress cover followed by a waterproof pad, then a fitted sheet, then a top sheet. Then a waterproof pad, a fitted sheet, and a top sheet. You now have 2 layers. Make as many layers as you want. If you need to change wet sheets in the middle of the night, you can pull off the top layer, throw it on the side to wash in the morning. With practice, this can take a minute or two, then you have a dry bed again. I opted for the larger size waterproof pads.
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If you have area rugs in the house, they can be a tripping hazard. Remove the rugs (best option), or use carpet tape (double sided) to secure the outer edges to the floor. Get as close to the edges as possible, otherwise the tripping hazard is still there.
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Make the bathroom as inviting as you can make it. Plenty warm for them, not you. Use an Alexa or other device to stream music. Use relaxing aroma therapy if wanted. Make them feel as though they are being pampered while showering. Use a shower mat that will stay put. Make adjustments for water temperature before they get in the shower. Maybe consider battery run candles. They should be plenty safe even if they fall into the shower. If it makes it easier, consider getting in the shower with them. Have plenty of solid grab bars. Set water heater to 110 degrees. Do not leave them in the shower without you being in the room with them.
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Thanks for the tips!
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ttt
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Hi to all,
It's good to have a pair of bandage scissors. They have a dull tip but they cut well. I use them if my DH has a full depend pull on. its easier to cut the underwear down the sides and remove them quickly. I learned this from a nurse who was taking care of my mom.
This is especially helpful when the patient is uncooperative or confused.
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Put a portable heater in the bathroom before attempting to shower. That made getting undressed for my mom so much easier, and I think I sweated off about 10lbs in the process.
If your dementia person is really frustrated with you, leave the room, change something about your appearance like put on a different shirt or hat, go back in and they may just be happy to see "you" because that other person was driving them crazy. (Got that tip from a couple of dementia family caregivers while we were making the documentary!)
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ttt
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Last night, i was helping DH clean up , and despite my best efforts with hand washing, i realized that his skin still smelled of urine. Very frustrating, as i was using plenty of soap and a nail brush. Then I remembered the shaving cream advice, which i have used to clean up in the bathroom. So a applied some shaving cream to his hands, and presto, the odor disappeared! Just though Id pass it along.
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some companies make black overnight pull ups, so i ordered a sample . They work well, much better than depends. My DH hates to change and we constantly butt heads when that time of day comes along. For some reason, I told him the black pants were for night and the white ones were for daytime. He actually accepted this explanation, and if i repeat it daily, its less of a struggle to get him to cooperate.
Go Figure....lol
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Can I use a disposable waterproof pad?
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My post is related, but different.
Q: Is there no way Alzheimer's Association can retrieve our previous posts? Such a wealth of information and so many memories...
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Bren, yes, you can use a disposable waterproof pad. They are often called chux in the medical field. I used them by layering them in her bed and in her chair and anywhere.
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Thanks :-)
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A cover over the thermostat - the type you see in a school or office. This is very helpful more in early stages, and even into stage 5, when PWD might crank up the heat or put it on 'emergency HEAT' in the middle of summer. (yeah, she did... we got up and couldn't hardly breathe) Put the cover on and told her it was for insurance purposes.
Plastic jar for the cat food. There is only enough in the jar for one-day's worth, so she can feed the cat out of that as much as she wants. Always gone by evening, and we tell her we will get more cat food for the following day. Her family never fed their cats table scraps, so at this point, that part is still a non-issue.
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Shaving cream is a must have. I can no longer safely get DH into the shower, so all clean up activity has to happen either while he is in bed or in his wheelchair. I stopped using bar or liquid soap entirely, because it was drippy and messy and didn't stay where it should stay. With shaving cream I can slather it on in whatever area needs a clean-up, and then simply use a warm wet washcloth to wipe it off. Because the shaving cream is visible on his skin, I can easily see if I missed a spot, plus it leaves a pleasant smell. DH likes it too, says he feels nice and clean afterwards.
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Corelle dinnerware, and other hard to break dishes, are convenient in situation where one increasingly drops and breaks ceramic dinnerware and avoids some disappointment as one's coordination or strength declines.
I realize that more specialized dishes are available for those with more advanced conditions.
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A ‘dementia clock’ that says if it’s Morning or night and what day it is. Also has a ‘take your morning pills’ alarm so I don’t forget.
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This line of Panasonic cordless phones has been useful for me. While there are "senior phones" with big buttons where you can put photos beneath some buttons, I find these better for my LO because:
- Resembles normal phones - so can be used when conditions are not too severe, and avoids embarrassment for your LO who wants to avoid a toy-like senior phone. It deals with hearing loss, vision loss, mobility and cognitive impairment. Three large memory-dial buttons are simple to use.
- Has many capabilities, such as talking caller ID, linking to a cell phone.
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Adult-sized wipes (do not flush though!)
No rinse shampoo and body wash combo
Applesauce, puddings, Boost to add crushed meds plus extra nutrition
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Hi, I would definitely not suggest wipes you are so right on that one just over a week ago mom flushed wipes down the toilet and my husband called the plumber out and it was 180 bucks to get it unclogged.
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these hints are so helpful! I just saw the one about the themostat cover, and am racing to buy one, as my DH turned the upstairs one up to 90 degrees, and we are in the middle of a heat wave!
Let's keep this thread going.
Maureen
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i hope we can get this thread back up.
ttt
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> @gampiano said:
> Hello,
> I remember seeing a heading like this in our last format, and it was very helpful. People just kept adding helpful hints and they were all under this one topic. I listed a few:
>
> 1) Shampoo Caps: These are a blessing for me, as my DH hates to have his hair washed. Thsy are efficient, neat, and they do thoroughly clean hair and scalp with no mess. You can get them on Amazon,
> 2) Rinse free disposable bath sponges: All you need to activate these is a capful of water and the suds are produced. These are so great for quick and efficient sponge bath. NO RINSING ! Just towel dry. So easy even my reluctant spouse doesn't mind using them. Again, you can get these on Amazon. I have started to keep a few in the glove compartment of the car along with a small container of water.
> Hope we cam keep this thread going!
So pleased to see these tips. My siblings and I are caring for my Dad with stage 6 Alzheimers after our Mom recently passed away. He's very reluctant to wash so advice is very much appreciated. I'm adding things to my online shopping cart as I read all the great tips.0 -
Adding to the new caregiver group: https://alzconnected.org/group/32-new-caregiver-help
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Wonderful tips. I used a few of them before. Lady Texan and Ed, so nice to see your comments. Your posts kept me going when I was caring for my DH with AZ and VD until he passed November 2022. My son, 55, now has a TBI and possibly dementia, although we won't know for sure for a few months, and I'm transferring him from a long-term facility to my home. These tips will definitely come in handy. Thank you, everyone, for sharing.
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Commonly Used Abbreviations
DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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