Hi
My mum has had alzheimer's for about 14 years now and now needs full time care. She lives at home with my Dad who also needs 24 hour care.
She gets extremely anxious and distressed by personal care but her carers are lovely and manage things extremely well. But, Mum is now totally resistant to oral care and none of the carers has been able to find a way round this.
She is not able to follow instructions e.g. to spit out mouth wash or toothpaste, and bites the toothbrush if they are able to get her to open her mouth etc. She will also bite if carer tries the baby 'toothbrush' that you put on your finger.
Does anyone have any alternatives to try? Anything that is designed to be ok to chew or swallow. Or a gel that could be applied ...She has broken teeth and currently has an abscess which is being treated with antibiotics (which of course are really difficult for the carers to administer).
Any advice would be really welcome. Thank you
My mum has had alzheimer's for about 14 years now and now needs full time care. She lives at home with my Dad who also needs 24 hour care.
She gets extremely anxious and distressed by personal care but her carers are lovely and manage things extremely well. But, Mum is now totally resistant to oral care and none of the carers has been able to find a way round this.
She is not able to follow instructions e.g. to spit out mouth wash or toothpaste, and bites the toothbrush if they are able to get her to open her mouth etc. She will also bite if carer tries the baby 'toothbrush' that you put on your finger.
Does anyone have any alternatives to try? Anything that is designed to be ok to chew or swallow. Or a gel that could be applied ...She has broken teeth and currently has an abscess which is being treated with antibiotics (which of course are really difficult for the carers to administer).
Any advice would be really welcome. Thank you