Lack of showering
Our father has been going for extended periods (40 days at a time) without showering or changing his clothes, which has led to skin lesions. He also has incontinence issues on top of it.
We are limited in our ability to intervene due to legal restrictions making these challenges difficult to address, especially when faced with the limitations set by authorities who claim our father has constitutional rights and assume he is fine. We reside in California.
However, we cannot ignore the fact that his hygiene needs are not being met, and this lack of care is causing him physical discomfort and health issues. Open wounds ect.
Comments
-
The user and all related content has been deleted.0
-
This was posted in the "Caring for a Spouse or Partner" section rather than the "Caring for a Parent". I'm not sure how to rectify this. If an admin is able to assist I would be greatful. Thankyou
0 -
Navigating the legal and medical systems can be incredibly challenging, especially when a loved one with untreated Neurosyphilis is refusing necessary treatment.
In California, as in many states, patients have the legal right to refuse medical treatment. As the authorities have pointed out to us on several occasions.
In our case, despite our efforts to seek guardianship and mandate treatment for our father, the legal system ultimately supported his right to refuse care. We were left with no choice but to continue providing care at an arms length.
1 -
My DH didn't bath for a couple of years. He had to shower a few weeks ago after he messed himself. He often goes for a week or more without changing his clothes and he has been wearing the same underwear and socks for a couple of weeks. He hasn't has any problems with his skin but if he did I would ask his doctor what to do. In my experience we cannot make someone shower or change clothes.
2 -
. . and he smells so bad. I hate it when I have to take him places in the car.
0 -
How does one deal with a person that does not want to wash their hair, have a bath or shower and will not brush their teeth? Also, refuse to go to a doctor?
Any suggestions are appreciated!
1 -
I am new to the community and have come hear to find out how to deal with my mom. She is 83 years old and has Alzheimer’s. We are trying to deal with her not taking showers and as the staff approaches her now to take one, she gets very aggressive and agitated. I am at a loss as to what to do. As I read through some of the posts, I see that there really isn’t anything we can do to make her take a shower. I’m just so sad for her as she smells and she loses control of her bowels and doesn’t even recognize it.2
-
Here is video that might explain why LOs resist bathing.
There are also products that you might be able to use instead of shower or bath. The link below is some from Amazon, but there are many others if you search online.
And if you use the search icon and search for ‘showering’ or ‘bathing’ you may find other more recent posts from members who have had experience with this.
I hope you find something that will work for you @Onedayatattime and @weeklyl
2 -
When my DH was still at home, he too refused showering. So I figured a bowl bath once in a while was better than nothing. As soon as he awoke in the morning, while he was half awake cognitively, I'd take him to the bathroom and run warm water in the sink with the stopper in, grab the no-rinse foam bath bottle, a couple of washcloths and a towel. No wasting time. When he stood up from the toilet, I said "Okay we're gonna do a bath today." I used one washcloth for his private areas and the other for the rest of him. I also went as fast as I could - no lingering- because after a couple of minutes, he was letting me know that that was enough already. He never smelled, so it was effective.
3 -
I was able to use rinse free soap, rinse free shampoo, soft washcloths to keep him as clean as I could. Like Bowerbird, I did it as quickly as I could before he’d make me stop. There was no way I could get him in the shower, and although there are many tips to try they didn’t work for me - like getting the water warm before getting in, warming the towels in the drier, going in the shower with him, etc.
2
![[Deleted User]](https://us.v-cdn.net/6037576/uploads/defaultavatar/nI00IHPSAYRAW.jpg)
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
Read more
Categories
- All Categories
- 694 Living With Alzheimer's or Dementia
- 400 I Am Living With Alzheimer's or Other Dementia
- 294 I Am Living With Younger Onset Alzheimer's
- 18.9K Supporting Someone Living with Dementia
- 5.9K I Am a Caregiver (General Topics)
- 9.3K Caring For a Spouse or Partner
- 3.4K Caring for a Parent
- 247 Caring Long Distance
- 204 Supporting Those Who Have Lost Someone
- 13 Discusiones en Español
- 1 Vivir con Alzheimer u Otra Demencia
- 1 Vivo con Alzheimer u Otra Demencia
- Vivo con Alzheimer de Inicio Más Joven
- 12 Prestación de Cuidado
- 3 Soy Cuidador (Temas Generales)
- 8 Cuidar de un Padre
- 23 ALZConnected Resources
- View Discussions For People Living with Dementia
- View Discussions for Caregivers
- Discusiones en Español
- Browse All Discussions
- Dementia Resources
- 8 Account Assistance
- 15 Help