5 Differences Between Retirement Homes & Long Term Care Homes

[Keesha]

Keesha, my parents never became elderly, so I have no experience to offer you.

However, in your father's case of not showering, I have a few questions:

Do you think he's afraid to fall in the shower?
Are there grab bars ?
Is it difficult for him to step up and over the side of the tub getting in and out?
Is the hot water adequate?
Does he shiver until he gets himself towel-dried?

A big terry cloth robe to put on as soon as he comes out will keep him warm while he towels legs, & etc.
Maybe one of those shower seats placed in the tub will help.

Tell the home health aid to stay near him and comb his hair back into a pony tail immediately.

When I worked in insurance claims, I heard about a water damage claim someone filed. Gramps lived with the family and was not ill or weak at all. The fam went on a brief vacation. Gramps had a heart attack while in the shower and died, his body blocking the drain and water overflowed, flooded the bathroom and caused a lot of damage.

Edit to say- if he drinks a lot maybe he's afraid to get in the shower tipsy, then forgets when sober?

You bring up some good points. He may very well be afraid of falling in the shower.
I do believe that the basement shower has a grab bar in it but this weekend I will look and make sure. That’s a good question .


It is might be difficult for him to step in and out of the shower since he’s so crippled now.


The hot water is definitely adequate and he had a big terry cloth robe to put on after the shower AND has medically trained staff there everyday to help him.


I don’t think their shower downstairs is big enough for a shower seat but you raise a good point. If he needs both hands to wash his hair yet needs one hand to hold himself up, I am starting to understand perhaps why he’s not showering.


My mother has been talking about turning their whirlpool bath tub upstairs into a walk in shower with bars and a seat. This is a very good idea RaddishRose.


From the smell of his breath he might still be tipsy from drinking when he wakes up.


Do you know that if it weren’t for some of you here at this site I’m not sure if I could do this. You really do help more than you will ever know and I thank you kindly.

 

[HelenC66]

My mom suffered a stroke. She has been recovering for a very long time, but can't do it completely. Exercise and daily development of the left leg and arm have become a way of life. It's true that people say that older people are like children. Every time the nurse or I had to convince her that it was necessary and she must endure the pain she felt. After a partial recovery, I had to take her to the care home. I was convinced that they would take care of her and the restoration would go even faster.When I came to see her according to the plan, I was shocked to see her crying. Her left arm hung like a whip. I can't believe it. In general, I had to pick her up from there. Long searches of the nurse for mom weren't crowned with success. One day I came across Devoted Home Care service https://www.devotedhc.com/. Now my mother gets all the necessary professional physical therapy. She became much more cheerful. Also, I noticed the progress in her movements. I'm so glad about that. Therefore, I would never advise anyone to send parents to care homes. These are terrible places.