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UPDATE
JUNE 2023
When assisting with putting on clothing after a shower
#1 Put the shirt on first then the pants. My dad tucks his shirt into his pants. If we put the pants on first, he wants to button the pants and close the belt. Then if we put the shirt on he has to undo the pants
#2 Put socks on before the pants. The pants slide on so much easier with the socks versus bare feet
#3 Put the belt on the pants before you put the pants on Dad.
Tips for bathing a dementia patient
My Dad does not like to bathe or shower. As soon as we say the word, 'shower', he gets agitated and starts to become verbally aggravated. He says he showered yesterday. He says he is clean. It is a chore to get him to bathe. Getting him to sponge bathe is not much easier either. It's such a big deal for us that we write "showered" on the calendar on the days he showers.
My dad has had some decline in the past few months.
He has been going to the bathroom/ bowel movement in his diaper. It gets on his pants and the back of his shirt. I sit him on the toilet seat next to the shower. I heat up the bathroom with an outlet plug-in heater. I run the shower water to heat up the room. I take his shoes, socks, sneakers, and sweater off. I have him step into the shower. I cut the diaper off quickly. I remove his shirt last so he stays warm. He sits on the bathroom chair. I place a warm towel on the shower chair. I use baby shampoo and a warm washcloth with body soap. I wash him quickly and rinse him just as fast. I turn off the water and towel dry Dad. I have him step out of the shower and sit on the shower chair on a dry towel in front of the sink. I dry him with a blow dryer to warm him up. I make sure his toes and under his arms are dry. I dress him. and brush his hair.
I place the soiled diaper in a plastic bag and throw it away. My husband has a plastic 5-gallon bin with a lid for wet diapers so I don't use up all the bags too quickly.
What to do in the bathroom to make it more comfortable for the Dementia Patient
My dad says he is cold. He doesn't like to change his clothes or shower. I purchased a heater that plugs into the outlet in the bathroom. It heats the bathroom quickly and to 90• I like this heater because it heats the bathroom quickly and I can see the actual temperature in the room.
I drop in a shower scent to help make the shower smell good and help keep us calm
https://amzn.to/3kDJXuP Bombs with Essential Oils
What do I need to gather to shower a dementia patient?
I get everything ready in the bathroom
This is what I gather:
socks- no slip https://amzn.to/3wp6Swp
sneakers- New Balance https://amzn.to/3XS4Dh6
pants https://amzn.to/3JarYqa
shirt with velcro https://amzn.to/3XS4Dh6
sweater
diaper - we use gray so Dad thinks they are his underwear https://amzn.to/3Wy8NJZ
comb
baby shampoo https://amzn.to/3wtkVB2
soap no rinse https://amzn.to/3XVoPyF
washcloth https://amzn.to/3R09JFG
towels
razor
shaving cream
blow dryer
belt for pants https://amzn.to/3DaDRbH with velcro
efferdent https://amzn.to/3D8rVHt
small bowl
water
spray deodorant https://amzn.to/3J3PaGu
dry shampoo
shoe horn- https://amzn.to/3H3OXR2
Bathing tips for dementia caregivers
What are tricks to get him to bathe
I tell him we are going to church and he has to change.
I take his dentures out and place them in a small bowl with efferdent. The dentures soak while we shower and shave.
If this doesn't work, I trim his hair so he sees the hair on himself. I have even dirtied his pants so he sees the dirt on the pant leg and maybe he will shower. Then, I can convince him to undress. I get him undressed in the bathroom.
I keep the directions simple and give him one direction at a time.
I tell him to
Sit on the toilet
kick off his sneakers
remove his socks
stand up and remove his belt
remove his pants
He keeps on his diaper and shirt.
I run the water in the shower. I have him get into the shower and then I tell him to give me his shirt.
I cut his diaper off and tell him to sit on the shower stool in the shower.
Then I remove his shirt.
What shampoo should I use for my dementia patient?
I put baby shampoo on his head and give him a warm soapy washcloth. I close the shower doors and tell him to wash up. I play music to keep him calm.
This is the time to quickly remove the dirty clothes from the floor and put them in the hamper so he doesn't want to put the dirty clothes.
I put a cup of Epsom salt in the tub and pull up the tub stopper. It fills halfway during his shower. His feet will soak while he is showering. This help keeps his toenails from discoloring, prevents ingrown toenails, and helps his dry skin. It also helps with stress. Sometimes, I put a little bit of vinegar instead of Epsom salt. The vinegar makes your skin feel great. The vinegar with water (1 part vinegar with 2 parts water) can help control infections, neutralize bad odors, soften the skin, hydrate feet, and calm itching.
I get a second washcloth and wash his back. I rinse the shampoo out of his hair.
I rinse his body thoroughly. I dry him with a towel. I dry the back and he dries the front. I get him out of the shower and have him sit on a stool in front of the mirror. I put a towel down on the stool so he stays warm. I turn the blow dryer on and dry his skin and between his toes. I dry his hair a bit. I swivel the blow dryer around so he doesn't get too hot in one spot. Keep the heater on. I put shaving cream on his face and have him shave. I try to make this a pleasant process but quick so he doesn't get angry.
How to shave a dementia patient?
Years ago, I was able to use an electric razor but now his hair is too thick and he has lots of wrinkles.
The electric shave doesn't seem to cut the hair close enough. I put his diaper on and then his pants. I learned a trick. Put his belt on the pants before you put them on him this makes the process of dressing quicker and he doesn't have to fumble for the belt loops. I spray deodorant under his arms, between his toes, and under any fat folds. I put his shirt on and then socks.
I tried shaving my Dad while he was in the shower on the shower stool. It worked okay.
What are the secrets to keeping a dementia patient calm during showering time
The key for my dad is to
keep him calm,
keep him from feeling like he might fall,
keep him warm
And that I am calm and not too loud
What to do if my dementia patient refuses to shower?
If he refuses to bathe, use the no-rinse soap and perform a complete sponge bath in the sink or basin. Wash the top section of the body 1st. Use a blow dryer to dry him and keep him warm. Use dry shampoo to itch and clean the scalp. Scrubbing lightly with a brush or comb to help keep dandruff away. The dry shampoo helps comb the hair and keep the hair smelling fresh. Then bathe the bottom area. Rinse the washcloth thoroughly. Wash between the toes. I dry the skin on his feet with a blow dryer. Keeping the wall heater plugged in and the blow dryer to help keep him warm and less agitated. My Dad likes the smells of Eucalyptus and Lavender. I bought them in oils. I put a small drop in the trash can in his bathroom while he showers or bathed and he loves the smell.
I try not to get him completely naked at one time. He feels uncomfortable and cold.
What to do after the shower?
After the shower, I have my dad sit on a stool or use the toilet so he doesn’t get tired Don’t give up! Keep trying different methods !!! I also use spray deodorant so it’s not cold touching him under his underarm. I spray it under his arms, behind his knees, between his toes, and any creases on his body.
I put body lotion on him.
Is there clothing for elderly people to wear?
Cloth the top part of him first.
Using button and Velcro shirts has helped reduce the time to clothe my Dad. He struggles with buttons and zippers.
What is the best way to shave a dementia patient?
He used to use an electric razor but his hairs are too coarse for the razor and he has too many wrinkles to cut close to the skin. I lather him up and hand him the razor. I pull the skin back to help him get a close save. I also have the barber shave him when we get a haircut at the barber. Lastly, brush his teeth. Keep the routine! Being calm and prepared is key!
What is the secret to getting my dementia patient to shower?
SHH ! My Secret is...
Heat up the bathroom
Get everything you need including towels and clothes to put on your dad
Stay calm
If you think this will take 30 minutes- give it 60 minutes
Start early in the morning before he becomes too agitated
How to keep a dementia patient calm during showering
General thoughts to ensure bathing is a pleasant experience:
You need to stay calm. If you stay calm, your loved one will stay calm.
Remember, it's not what you say but how you make them feel.
Pay attention to your body language. If you smile and sing or hum a sweet tune, your LO will do the same thing. Bathing should take place at the same time every time. You don't have to bathe them every day but having a routine will help limit the agitation level of your LO.
Why does my dad not want to shower?
I don't know why he doesn't like to shower now. He used to shower every day before the Dementia diagnosis. He doesn't like to change his clothes or change his pull-ups/ diapers. He says he is cold. He has lost his ability to tell me how he feels. He doesn't use his senses. He says he is cold but the house could be warm. He says he feels great but he hurt his shoulder. What can you do when your loved one cannot tell you how they feel?
be observant
write down behaviors
be objective when you watch them
don't assume how they feel
keep a chart of activities, daily routines
What is a morning routine for a dementia patient?
Every day after our morning routine, I take my dad's photo showing what he is wearing.
If he gets lost, I have a current photo on hand. The photo also helps, the next day, I show him his picture and tell him he has to change his clothes.
Medicine tip
Use a small cup
Put the medicine in it
Have the patient use the cup to put pills in their mouth
This prevents the pills from falling on the floor
How to avoid caregiver burnout?
Avoid caregiver burnout
Care for yourself
Dementia is an umbrella of various diseases
How to help a dementia Patient shower
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