Cutting my spouse's nails.

HELLO. YOU ARE CORRECT ABOUT LONG SHARP CRACKED NAILS. WILL BECOME AN ISSUE IF MOM OR DAD SCRATCHES THEMSELF AT ANY TIME.
I AM A MOBILE FOOT/NAIL CARE PROFESSIONAL IN ATLANTA. CHECK WEBSITE TO SEE IF THERE IS A MOBILE SPECIALIST IN YOUR AREA. HOUSECALLS(PRIVATE PAY SERVICE) ARE A LARGE PART OF MY PROTOCOL BECAUSE GETTING TO A SPA WITH A DISABLED INDIVIDUAL IS SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE.
WEBSITE: AFCN (ASSOCIATION FOOT CARE NURSES) HAS A LIST BY STATE.
BEST REGARDS,
SHIRLEY R.
FCN RN

Cut nails right after a shower. The nails are softer then
Your other option is to cut them while she is asleep.
Sometimes cutting them is easier if you are doing it when you are giving her a little "massage" use a lotion and as you rub it on her arms and hands cutting the nails might be easier.

Our local Senior Centers have specially trained people who only cut toenails. I take my dh in every 6 - 8 weeks to have his trimmed. They wash, soak, trim and massage his feet and check for calluses and other sores. They use an antiseptic frequently as they are working. There is a charge of $35.

I cut my dad's nails by just holding his hand and chatting while I do it. I've found that a larger toenail clipper works better than a little fingernail clipper. It looks just like a fingernail clipper only it's bigger and stronger for his tough nails, plus it cuts a slightly wider swath so it takes fewer clips. I don't do them very short and then I give him an emery board to smooth them. He enjoys using the emery board. If you do it after a shower or after a good hand washing you'll find that the nails are a little softer and easier. My dad is afraid of being cut and will pull his hand away. I always try to pull the finger back a bit from the nail and hold his skin back from the nail to assure I don't accidentally cut him. So far we've been successful.

Medicare covers for a podiatrist to cut toenails every ten weeks. Not fingernails.

I have found a drummel to be the safest, easiest way to keep my aunt's nail trimmed. No rough edges and no chance of cutting her. I found an inexpensive one at Amazon. She sits in her recliner and I sit in front of her on a folding chair.

Perhaps she needs a podiatrist visit.
They will clip her nails during the visit.

And, it likely couldn't hurt to get a podiatrist exam.

Gena / Touch Matters

You can also soften toenails overnight using urea gel--does not require a prescription. I use it on myself.

My dads insurance paid for foot care with a podiatrist for his toenails. Perhaps if she sees this is a medically necessary thing for her at a doctors office she won’t resist. They put him in a chair they could raise and lower and used a Dremel tool to help shape them. Completely painless.

I find this cutter is very easy to use

EZ Grip 360 Degree Rotary Stainless Steel Sharp Blade Fingernail Toenail Clipper, Trimmer and Cutter https://a.co/d/1PsTbwQ