It's only the small stuff....practical ways of bathing Alzheimer's patients

 The small stuff. I tell people all the time, don't worry about things you cannot change. 

I know how aggravating it can be when your loved one refuses, or you have to fight with them day in and day out about hygiene. 

One has to think, how dirty can a patient get? Really? Everyone detests body oder, but this is something that can easily be taken care of with a few shakes of some baby powder.

Now I am not suggesting that if your loved one doesn't shower that's not a problem. But you have to put things into perspective.

People who don't have dementia think nothing of showering, brushing their teeth, deodorant, etc. But with dementia all these things and many, many more are not on some patients to do list. Ever.

We live in a society where one just does basic hygiene without even thinking about it. But one this disease comes into your life, all bets are off.

The simple pleasure of a nice hot shower, or a nice bubble bath are not what dementia patients for the most part want anything to do with.

Perhaps a simple sponge bath, talking to them softly and just wiping them off with a warm wash cloth will work.