My Father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease earlier this year. I am an only child and my Mother died when I was 18, so there is only me and my Dad really. We do not live together.
We have had many obstacles to face and overcome during the year but so far so good. However, I have now come up against something that I can't solve.
About 4 months ago, my Father stopped showering or having a bath regularly. As he also has Arthritis and once had a lot of trouble getting out of the bath, I had his bath removed and a big walk in shower installed. It is the simplest I could find to operate and have fixed it so that all he has to do is pull a cord and the shower comes on. But this has not solved the problem. It is still a terrible battle to get him to shower. We have argued, I have threatened, pleaded, cried. He promises he will have one, even promises that he has, but I know he hasn't. I have been to his house and refused to leave until he has a shower, but it is all so traumatic. It is of course worse because I don't live with him and have a full time job.
I don't think he is scared of the shower, I do think he now knows how it works. I just think he really can't be bothered. He is so good about everything else but this is really causing problems between us. He smells and I find this embarassing. He is also getting skin infections, which is a worry.
Has anyone else had this problem - I am told it is quite common. How can I overcome this one. At my wits end. WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY HELP OR SUGGESTIONS
We have had many obstacles to face and overcome during the year but so far so good. However, I have now come up against something that I can't solve.
About 4 months ago, my Father stopped showering or having a bath regularly. As he also has Arthritis and once had a lot of trouble getting out of the bath, I had his bath removed and a big walk in shower installed. It is the simplest I could find to operate and have fixed it so that all he has to do is pull a cord and the shower comes on. But this has not solved the problem. It is still a terrible battle to get him to shower. We have argued, I have threatened, pleaded, cried. He promises he will have one, even promises that he has, but I know he hasn't. I have been to his house and refused to leave until he has a shower, but it is all so traumatic. It is of course worse because I don't live with him and have a full time job.
I don't think he is scared of the shower, I do think he now knows how it works. I just think he really can't be bothered. He is so good about everything else but this is really causing problems between us. He smells and I find this embarassing. He is also getting skin infections, which is a worry.
Has anyone else had this problem - I am told it is quite common. How can I overcome this one. At my wits end. WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY HELP OR SUGGESTIONS