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I think it may depend on the stage of the dementia as to how much protests there are about bathing.I know that for a good while my cousin refused to bath or shower. She lied and said she was getting them, but she was not. Even when she first went into Assisted Living she was not happy about showers. (The staff bathed her in the shower, dried her off and dressed her.) However, as her dementia progressed, she no longer has a problem with showers. Maybe, she knows it's a part of her her routine on some days, but, she no longer protest. Oh, she'a also on meds for anxiety now. That could help as well.
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Thank you to everyone. Tomorrow I'm going to try the "hair" trick. I told her this evening that her hair was looking a little dirty and needed a wash. She said she likes it dirty. (OMG) Any-hoo, I told her she should wash it tomorrow. She said OK. Well, I'm going to try some of your suggestions to get her in the shower to wash her hair. Basically using her hair as an excuse to get her in the shower. It is so gross. It's making me take MORE showers!!!!!!
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I finally got mom in the shower! I was sooooo happy all day that she took one. She was happy too. How did I do it? I walked into the bathroom to show her the "new" faucets we had put in the shower. I turned it on, got the right temperature, took out a clean towel, and left her in the bathroom as I closed the door. It took her a while, but she did get in. I think the main problem is SHE FORGOT HOW TO TURN ON THE SHOWER. Really. I'm going to try it again in a few days to get a routine going. We have a routine for church so why not a routine for a shower.
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Sue! That's wonderful! I think you did two things that helped...you didn't ask her you more or less put her in the right spot..and the assumption was she would take her shower, so it wasn't like a battle of the wills..she felt she made the choice! And the second thing was major..you made it easy for her by setting everything up for her...good thinking! You made the conditions right and easy for her! Maybe you can reward her after she showers..maybe take her out to lunch..shopping..whatever floats her boat! Lol...hugs to you both...
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