Personal hygiene and grooming: What are your recommendations to help a loved one?
As your loved one's Alzheimer's progresses, you may find that certain tasks become more challenging for them to accomplish. Bathing, showering, and brushing their teeth are just a few examples.
Help other community members who may be struggling with their loved one's hygiene. What has worked for you and your loved one?
get an eclectic toothbush for them
it made a big differance for my mom. She uses it longer than regular We use that and a water pic as well. It gets under the gum line pretty well if flossing is not an option. Scott AlzheimersDisease.net Team Member
yes i do
It is probably easier if you are the husband (as I am) and the loved one is your wife. She is 78 now. I shower every morning with my wife because she will otherwise stay in for a long time and not remember what part of her body she has or has not washed. While I finish up, she gets out and dries off...but I have to complete the task before helping her dress. She wraps the towel around herself, holding it with one hand, and then tries to put on her brassiere with one hand. She struggles with that until I can get out, dry off, and help her. I can give her instructions to hang up the towel and then put on the brassiere but she doesn't seem to understand that. Brushing her teeth: she has an electric toothbrush but doesn't use it correctly. She will turn it on for maybe 10 to 15 seconds, put it to her teeth, and then when asked, say she has used it for several minutes. She doesn't clean the inside surfaces of either the top or bottom. She will only use mouthwash and floss if I remind her and then not correctly. I talked to our wonderful dentist about it and he understands. We decided that at her age, it isn't worth the fight to do a thorough job. Every week or so I will help her do a more thorough job. She also doesn't clean the brush after using it, and when she goes to bed, I clean it for her. As the loved one declines, you have to adjust your behavior to allow for it. It is sometimes very hard for me to change my habits but then I tell myself there is only so much I can do and I don't have to be perfect. That helps a little. Having someone to complain to also helps. Thank you for sharing with us. It can certainly be challenging to change your habits, as you said, or to summon up the patience to help your loved one with these seemingly basic tasks, but it sounds like you do so with grace and gentleness. And I think that is all one can really ask for - perfection is not something anyone should strive for along this journey! We're here for you for any venting and complaints at any time! Warmly, Patty, Team Member I care for my mom. I got her a battery operated toothbrush and a dental flossed. She was already using one. It’s a long handle with disposable u-shaped Flossed heads. Once she gets started, she does ok. And we do mouthwash together and dance. I get worried she will try to s
battery operated toothbrush and flosser rather than just the string.
today was hard because it's Wednesday and my husband stays home on Wednesday but he couldn't stay home because he was home on Monday which made today even more confusing. And I got really really sad because I have a young nephew and niece who are coming to town from NY to visit and they would normally stay with us but they are going to stay with my daughter because of me. And I feel so sad right now that I can't even help with these children who I love so much. I will get a short visit with them after church and my husband says that will bring donuts and it will be fun but I am afraid I will ruin everything. There will be a lot of children and people and that is so hard for me to deal with....at least on Saturday one of my other daughters is coming to visit during the day just for an hour. She is in town on a business trip so I am excited to see her. She's the funniest one of all of my children. I am excited to see her on Saturday. All of this stuff with my nephew isn't happening until September 14th so I will probably not worry much more about it. Tomorrow I am going on a field trip. I am calling it that because it is to a lavender farm so it's my joke. My friend is taking me and she is bringing a picnic. I am pretty excited to go. I think that it will be like Heaven. , I'm sending (((hugs))) to help you through the very bad day. None of this is your fault. Don't try to collect all the negative things to hold.
It's very lovely of your niece and nephew to make arrangements so that you don't get overwhelmed and you can all enjoy your time together. So just shift your perspective a bit, and don't feel sad 😀
It's wonderful that your daughter is coming this weekend! I hope you have an amazing, joy-filled day! You'll have to let us know how it went, and how wonderful it was!
I remember when I was younger, having petit-fours was such an elegant indulgence. Small little bites of sweet perfection, not too little, and not to much. Look at your visits like they are those little bites, and enjoy how sweet and delightful they are. - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)
