25
Nov
Washing Miss America’s Hair
Almost every Sunday I go over to my parents’ house to help out; my most pressing issue is to help my mother get a shower. It is often difficult for several reasons. First of all, she often tells me she just had a shower. (She has Alzheimer’s Disease, and does not remember.) She really thinks that she did have one. The second reason is that she is afraid of the water, which is common in people with Alzheimer’s Disease. And last, she really does have a fear of being in the shower due to the residual pain she has from the complication of her shingles, called post herpetic neuralgia, or after shingle nerve pain.
Of course, when I drive 50 minutes to their house, mainly to shower her, I feel somewhat dismayed when she comes up with her objections. Sometimes she gets up to go in willingly, and somewhere between the agreement and the shower she forgets that she agreed, and refuses!
Then we go with a sponge bath, with my assistance, so that I know all areas are washed and I apply lotion to her dry skin.
I used to get really upset when I didn’t get the goal of the shower accomplished. But, as all other aspects of caring for an elderly parent who still has her dignity and pride I have learned to let it go and move on. She is very neat and clean, and we do the best that we can.
When it is time to wash her hair I do have a trick.
She is usually sitting at the kitchen table, and I come in with the shampoo and towel. She always asks, “What’s that for?” I tell her she asked me to wash her hair! It works every time!
Today I washed her hair, blew it dry and curled it. She looked great! I think she can wait another week to get it cut; I will make an appointment at the Adult Day Program, because that will save me a special trip to her house to take her for a haircut. I can spend more time helping out at the house, with the little chores that I do, or spend quality time visiting.
My dad seemed like he wanted his hair washed, so I washed his hair at the sink as well!
Miss and Mister America!
Technorati Tags: Alzheimer’s Disease
November 26th, 2009 at 12:12 am
Loved the review I thought the same I cannot challenge it in anyway. Have you got a list of your current review for me to read? I have also created some reviews for you to read on my blog…