I conquered the shower!!  If only for today and it only took a week.  I started out this morning when she mentioned that she hadn’t slept well. I recommended that tonight she should try a hot bath, maybe it would help.  Then later I mentioned her scheduled  CT scan and that she needed to take a shower and put her hair.

Later on, after dinner, I said mom we both have to take a shower. Why don’t you go first? She tried the “I’ll just take one in the morning” routine. I replied “well, how will hair get dry before your appointment?” After a few minutes. she said she was going to get into the shower. I feel like I just climbed Mt. Everest. It’s amazing to me that something so simple has taken on so much focus in our lives.  I haven’t had this much trouble since my son was 9.

It’s a common occurrence with Alzheimer’s patients. Most have poor eyesight and the water begins spraying down on them and it becomes a scary thing. It’s also a dangerous place for well everyone really, but especially our older loved ones. She has grab bars for her as she steps out of the shower. We’ve put a nice non-skid mat for her to step out on. Here towels are right beside her as she steps out. The easy it is, the least amount of steps it takes to complete the task the better. According to the LA Times, Nearly a quarter of a million people are injured in the bathroom each and every year!

How will I know when it’s time for me to help her? She would do without before she would ask for any help. I offer to help every time, but she says, “I’ve been taking care of myself my whole life.” That’s what makes my job even harder. Not only am I a caregiver, I have to be a mindreader as well. I know it’s coming. The days of changing her, bathing her, and I’m okay with it, but that doesn’t mean I won’t dread

I know it’s coming. The days of changing her, bathing her, and I’m okay with it, but that doesn’t mean I won’t dread it with every fiber of my being. How do you just one day decide to bath your parent? My mom will freak out. So, I’m open to discussions. Give me some ideas and let’s try them out!