Alzheimer's Disease Support Group
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. An early symptom is memory loss (amnesia), usually manifesting as minor forgetfulness that becomes pronounced with illness progression, with relative...
I wash Rollie in the shower with myself, just makes it a whole easier and it doesn't matter if I get wet. Anyway, I was washing his back and thinking how did I get here? Like that song. Not only do I have to actually bathe a full grown man but I have to actually move him into position he doesn't always understand my words, like, 'turn around'. How funny is that? Sometimes, he will hang on to stuff, like the bar or the shower hose. I know it is because he is afraid, unsure of being in the shower so of course I am slow in moving him. But sometimes he is hanging on the hose so tight and I need to extend it but I can't because he's holding it. We have a bit of a tug of war.
Then the drying, re-dressing etc. To night as I was putting his slippers back on he said, "you try hard". I answered him, thanks. Then as we were both in front of the mirror he pointed to himself and he said, "this woman needs help/"
Then the drying, re-dressing etc. To night as I was putting his slippers back on he said, "you try hard". I answered him, thanks. Then as we were both in front of the mirror he pointed to himself and he said, "this woman needs help/"
do you think a shower chair or bench would help at all?
Rollie's comment is so poignant......and,...yes, we all need help.....
We don't use a chair as I need to really wash his private area (due to sitting in urine) so he stands and holds on too. Just like Rollie and as you say getting him to turn is not easy. Washing his hair is difficult as he won't hold his head up or tilt back so I gave up and just spray away.
It works and he is OK with it. By the time I am done and redress him etc....I am soaking wet and not from the water but from sweat from exhausyion. It is not the easiest task in the book. I now do everyother day instead of everyday.
it could be comical. You are right of course, it is those lucis moments that keep you going because you KNOW he knows you are trying very hard to care for him. Just think how frustrating it is for them. I want to cry just thinking about it.
xox Carolyn