Hygiene and Bathing 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?
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4. 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.
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5. 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.
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6. 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

7. 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.
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8. 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...
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9. Grandpa won't move out and won't bathe. Help?

   First a better understanding of the term 'Dementia' will help you deal with behavioral problems such as refusing to bathe and refusing to move out of the current home. When a person has Dementia, he loses the ability to solve problems and even to recognize that he has a problem. In his reality, he is fine and you are the person making unreasonable demands...
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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...
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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. Can Mouthwash Replace Tooth Brushing a Few Times a Week?

    There is no substitute for brushing and flossing when it comes to good oral hygiene. Regular professional cleanings are recommended to remove plaque and deposits that the patient is unable to eliminate between visits. Mouth rinses such as Listerine, Scope and ACT are available over-the-counter and serve as an adjunct to maintaining oral health...
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13. 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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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...
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15. Should I still take my dad with Alzheimer's to the dentist for regular checkups?

    Not cleaning his dentures may allow overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria in your father's mouth that would increase his risk of developing aspiration pneumonia. Dentist might check for possible presence of mouth cancer.
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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...
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17. 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

18. 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...
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19. When should I wake my father up to preform personal cleansing tasks?

    Sorry to hear your dad is not doing well. It is good that you are helping to take care of him, as I am sure this is a comfort for him. The hospice team can help you with your questions anytime, so do not feel bad for asking them advice, as this is a hard time for you too.
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20. Can you offer any advice on bathing a modest parent?

    You can try covering her with a towel, but frankly it's almost possible to keep your mom covered with a towel for the whole bath. Try this approach: wrap a towel around her waist if she's standing, or place it over her lap if she's sitting...
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