I was reading the ftd support forum searching for ways to redirect my husband when he becomes difficult, since he has ftd and I thought perhaps somone on that forum might have some suggestions specific to ftd behaviors.
Instead I found a reference to adult wash cloths that are soft, gentle and large (8.5" x 8.5") and do not require rinsing the person after use. They are made of cloth with a gentle cleansing agent and are CVS brand adult wash cloths. They are NOT FLUSHABLE. I became interested because it is becoming more and more difficult to get my husband in the shower (everything is "NO"). Our aide is also taking a month off for the first time in 4 years and I am trying to anticipate how to get him clean if he doesn't respond to the new aide he's never met. I thought I would share this info in case someone else might need a similar alternative. I have the wet wipes but they are mostly for toiletting.
Another strategy that was recommended in getting him into the shower was to promise to give him something he really likes if he will get into the shower and bathe. Duh??!!! I don't know why we haven't used this tactic before, probably because I never had or raised children. All you parents out there know how effective bribing can be. I am looking for successful strategies to make the transition from his aide of 4 years to a new guy as easy as possible. So tomorrow we will be trying out the "dark chocolate" strategy of getting him into the shower hopefully without too much drama. He slapped the last substitute aide when he forced him into the shower and I definitely don't want that to happen again.
For most of you this may be old information, but I thouht I would share it anyway.
When my dh was bedridden and had hospice care, they used this to bath him with NO-RINSE PERINEAL WASH... and it did not require rinsing....the bottle says it cleans and deodorizes skin. I didn't look, but it probably can be ordered on line...might be cheaper then buying the wash cloths and work the same way.
agree wtih judith the no rinse washes are great for this purpose. you just wipe them down and no extra water. i still use it with my bedridden DH when we cant get him to the shower. the one we use is called 'Soothe&cool free o rinse shampoo and body wash with aloe. ph balanced for everyday' no irritants which is great for sensitive areas. medline.com or 1800medline to check pricing. comes in a spray bottle 8oz.
bribing works well especially with the AD sweetooth most of the time! there are many topics here about bathing and using tactics.
LFL--I bought the brand No Rinse Shampoo and and No Rinse Body Bath products at a local "outdoors" store. The Body Bath says "For Campers, Military, Truckers, Hunters/Anglers". We are city folk and have never done any of those things--I had never set foot in an outdoors store before (gardening or dining outside is as outdoorsy as I get)! Can't remember how I found out they sell these products, but they are excellent.
As we say, if you've seen one dementia patient, you've seen one dementia patient. When I tried to bribe Steve to take a shower, he looked at me like I was crazy. I think even if I had offered a million dollars, he wouldn't have taken the bait. These products helped out a home; at the ALF, they bathe him as a team in a bathroom with an open shower and the entire room is tiled. Somehow, they manage it without damage to anyone!
I use the No Rinse Shampoo for DH - since he will shower - but not wash his hair! Ask at Walmart but it's in the Pharmacy behind the counter. Works great.
Marilyn, what is it with the showers? I always had the same problem with DH. It took two of the aides at the NH to get him in the shower, and he was fighting them all the way.
I have read that some believe that they no longer understand how to adjust the water temp. and they are fearful that they won't do it right.
I also had that problem with my dh, but when I put the bath chair in the shower and had the water going I finally could get him into the shower. Some even get in the shower with their spouse to keep the fear factor down.
Thanks for all the tips...right now he's sort of compliant with his regular aide, it's the new aide I'm concerned about.
Early on (before dx) he did not know which was the hot/cold faucets. And now he's afraid of the running water, even if we only run it without turning on the shower. He won't use the bath seat, but he has no problem standing under the water once we get him into the tub. Once in he will soap up, shampoo and rinse. He loves having his back washed. The biggest problem is getting him into the tub.
Marilyn, I'm hoping he will want the chocoate badly enough so he will get in without a struggle, but who knows?
I think the sense of touch can become very sensitive and they can't stand the feeling of water pouring on their skin. Anxiety about not knowing how to control the water or fear of it being too hot or cold may also play a roll.
Based on what I heard at a presentation by a neuro, I think what paulc said above is correct. He said it's exactly that--the feeling of the water on their skin, causing fear and anxiety. This theory would explain why giving them a hand-held showerhead to use sometime helps--gives them more control over the whole situation.
I agree Marilyn. The hand held showerhead worked great here but you have to be careful with their heads because they seem very sensitive there. My dh would sometimes panic when I sprayed his head.