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Dementia. Can't and won't get in the shower anymore.

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Try a shampoo cap. They use them at hospitals and you can get them on Amazon. All you do is scrub the cap on their head and let dry. It has shampoo in it. No need for rinsing. I used them on my mother’s head. Her hair came out clean and smelled nice.
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97yroldmom Mar 2021
I used one of these while in hospital. Due to having very long and thick hair I was doubtful that I would be pleased but it worked great.
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Do you have grab bars? I took out my bathtub and replaced it with a walk-in shower, lots of grab bars and a shower chair, so I was able to shower her with ease for *years.* I managed my mom's hair -- I kept her hair much shorter, so washing was easy. She also required strict supervision to prevent falls, and an anti-slip covering for the shower floor. When she was eventually unable to get in the walk-in shower I used that rinse-less shampoo. Mom actually looked very nice with shorter hair. Eventually she will no longer walk so you can anticipate that.


Long styled hair is going to have to go.
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For myself, I have given up trying to shower as I have found it not as user friendly as it was a couple of years ago. Trying to wash one's hair while taking a tub bath isn't easy, so I have made friends with the kitchen sink :)

Yes, the kitchen sink can be a bit of a water park concept but I found it works for me. There is the occasional water down one's elbow and onto one's foot. I have a small plastic container that I use to fill with water to pour over my hair while facing down into the sink, what I like less water in my eyes.

I don't know if your Grandmother can be mobile enough to try that type of hair washing.
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cwillie Mar 2021
The laundry tub is the best if you have one 😉
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For years, mother had a standing hair appointment on Saturdays. Wash, roll & dry and then ratted to a fair-thee-well and about a full can of hairspray to lacquer it in place. She never washed it in between times. My MIL still does this look. She has a tight, tight perm and that helps hold the hair in place. It literally cannot move.


You have to be able to brush out the hair (all of it) if you are using a dry shampoo. And honestly, some women's hair simply requires a shampoo a day. I have a really good, expensive cut and I can wash & blow dry my hair in 10 minutes. 5 minutes for makeup and I'm good to go.

My YB takes my mother to the barbershop, not a beauty parlor. She gets a man's haircut and is unhappy b/c she can't make it look nice. Well, it's CUT to be STYLED like a man's.
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NeedHelpWithMom Mar 2021
Why does your brother take her for a man’s cut?
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I purchased a blow up hair washing tub that you wash their hair right in bed. Works awesome
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BritishCarer Mar 2021
Yes, that is my experience with my wife Sylvia, several years in bed now, but still friendly and with lovely hair, washed in the blow-up washing tub once a week with a simple shampoo. It is kept a bit shorter; and that works well.

"Power to your elbow"--and hands on washing hair.
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The teased, beehive style with hairspray has to go if she refuses to get in the shower anymore. If she can stand then her hair might be able to be washed in the sink.
I had a homecare client who couldn't be showered anymore. She did have a hospital bed and for a long time I was able to wash her hair in the bed. What I would do is raise the foot of the bed as far as it would go, then pull her to the very end so her head leaned over it.. Then wrap a small pillow in a plastic bag and put an absorbent bed pad ad towel under her shoulders. I had a big basin on the floor with a plastic sheet under it. Then I brought pitchers of warm water and shampoo and washed her hair.
When that was no longer possible, I washed her hair using basins of warm water with several washcloths. I did this once a week and in between used dry shampoo.
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I use a product called No Rinse shampoo. It works great for me..My hair is wet afrer
I apply it and I have to towel dry. I love it.
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My mom was bedridden for a few weeks and I found a gizmo (inflatable shampoo basin) to wash her hair while laying in bed. It was made of plastic and had what looked like a mini kids pool she’d lay her head in with a long chute or tube thing going down from it to the floor into a catch tub. It worked fantastic! You keep a pitcher or something of warm water to rinse with and take as much time as you need! Mom enjoyed having her hair washed & being pampered. Cheap to purchase too/ maybe found at elder depot? I don’t remember now. Good luck
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AnnReid Mar 2021
Yep, that was how my mom’s hair was done, and it worked surprisingly well.
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Try the kitchen sink with the sprayer.
There is also dry shampoo.also look into hospital supplies And get what looks like a shower cap put it on her hair and then massage with the fingers great for bedridden..
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Imho, suggestions are as follows:
- Hair style modification - she must opt for one that does not require teasing, hairspray and other hair care products if she only plans to wash it once per week.
- Sink washing.
- Dry shampoo (yes, these products are still manufactured).
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