Daily Caregiving Activities Questions

1. Is there an alternative to washing my father's private areas?

   You really do have to do this daily. This part of the body needs to stay clean, especially the backside. Anywhere that's fleshy and sweaty is prone to bacteria that can cause odors and skin irritations. Try not to get hung up on it. It's best to think about it in the same way as if you were washing a baby or a child...
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2. Is there an alternative to washing my mom's private areas?

   Yes, this really must be done daily. The genital area is one of those parts of the body that need to stay clean, especially the backside. Anywhere that's fleshy and moist is prime territory for bacteria growth, which can cause odors and skin irritation.
   1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

3. How often do I need to bathe my parent?

   There are two ways to look at this question. How often do you need to bathe your father, and how often should you bathe him?
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

4. Where can I find an appliance for toilet support?

   I'm not exactly sure what you mean, and am trying to picture the kind of appliance you need. But, I suggest you go to a medical supply store and see if they can help you find a support that works with your toilet. You may need to bring a picture of your toilet, or any paperwork that might help.
   1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

5. How often do I need to shampoo my dad's hair?

   It's a confusing issue, because many of us shampoo our own hair daily and consider this the norm. In reality, there's no need to shampoo every day. What's more, daily shampooing can dry out the hair and scalp. Unless there's a medical reason to shampoo more often, weekly or even less is fine.
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

6. How can I convince my father to bathe more often?

   I hope you got the answer I posted to your earlier email. If not, post again. Thanks.
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

7. What will help relieve itchy skin in elderly mother?

   Itchy skin is a tough problem, and one that I am familiar with myself. Here are my suggestions:
   1 Expert Answer, 4 Community Answers

8. If my father is uncircumcised, should I retract the foreskin when bathing him?

   Sounds like you are doing everything right. You are correct that when cleansing someone who is uncircumsized, you should retract the foreskin. Do this gently, and carefully wash the area. Then, be sure the place the foreskin back over the penis when you are done.
   1 Expert Answer

9. What can be done to help thick and curled over toenails?

   Thick toenails are quite a common problem as people get older. Let me reassure you that your thick toenails are probably caused by a common fungal infection, not something as serious as lung cancer. The best way to evaluate your toenail problem is to be seen by a podiatrist...
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

10. How can we convince someone with dementia to brush their teeth?

    This is an important question, because the process of disease and infection that takes place before teeth “fall out” can be a serious health issue. The mouth is very often a hidden nest of infection that seeds bacteria to the heart, lungs, and kidneys of the older adult popula...
    1 Expert Answer, 6 Community Answers

11. How can I work with Mom's long-term care facility to assist her in having a nice warm bath?

    Arranging a tub bath in a long term care facility should be fairly simple. First step is to find out if they have a bath tub. Some facilities have only showers because they are so much safer for older adults. If that is the case in your mother's facility, then you will probably need to take her out, perhaps to your home, for a tub bath...
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12. Grandpa refuses to allow us to help him bathe, but he's smells horribly. What can we do?

    Thank you for your letter. Your family wants to keep your grandfather comfortable at home-----and are willing to sacrifice their own comfort. As your grandfather nears the end of his life, he wants to hold onto himself by striking out at others. He refuses to bathe and sits in his own waste. It is not personal;he is tense and frightened...
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13. How can my brothers keep Mom safe in the bathroom without anyone being uncomfortable?

    I am sorry to hear of your mother’s illness. Family caregivers having to assist their parents in the bathroom is an issue that sends many elders into long term care. The fact that your brothers have gone to stay with her suggests a real willingness to help. Perhaps there is more room to negotiatete than appears on the surface...
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14. How can I get my husband to hold his penis when he uses the bathroom?

    When reading your question, my thought is that you may need to go into the bathroom with your husband to help him urinate at this point in his dementia. First, you can try to remind him to hold his penis as he is standing in front of the toilet...
    1 Expert Answer

15. How Can I Get Someone With a Damaged Sense of Taste to Eat?

    Many conditions, such as stroke, Alzheimer's, and cancer, cause people to lose or change their sense of taste. Treatments including radiation and chemo also affect the sense of taste. Sometimes this goes hand in hand with swallowing problems (dysphagia), and sometimes it's taste alone...
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16. Can you offer any tips for bathing an overweight parent?

    Sometimes bathing is a two-person job, so first try to enlist other family members or friends to help. You want to be careful not to hurt yourself, and muscle pulls, back strains, and bad falls do happen this way. If you overdo it, there's risk for both you and your father...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

17. How do I encourage my father without being a nag?

    Of course you want your father to eat right and get regular exercise; you love him and want him to be healthy, and to live as long as possible. But while it's great to offer an encouraging word once in awhile, there's a fine line between encouraging and nagging. Besides, it sounds like he's not listening, so what's the point...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

18. How do I get my dad out of the bathtub?

    The bathroom is the one room in the house that is most often the site of accidents that can seriously limit a senior's ability to live independently, so are are wise to be concerned for your father's safety. If taking a bath rather than a shower is something your father enjoys, there are alternative ways to get him out of the bathtub after a bath...
    2 Expert Answers, 1 Community Answer

19. My wife, age 88, does not like to take a shower. Is this normal?

    Just in the past week, I've had a number of questions about bathing. It really is common for older people to struggle with baths and showers and there are many understandable reasons for this. I'm going to assume this is a new development for your wife, versus how she's always been. If your wife has balance or strength problems, she may fear falling...
    1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

20. What's the best way to get my father to recognize that he's missing the toilet?

    Thanks for sharing this interesting question.
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