My mother is in an independant living center and she has been neglecting her hygiene and sometimes wears the same clothes for a week at a time 24 hours a day so I have been told. I live approximately 4 hours away and do not have the resources to hire somebody to help. She is 76 and was diagnosed with end stage kidney disease in Nov. and on dialysis so hygiene is very important. I have been here for several weeks and she refuses to let anyone help her shower. I don't know what to do......HELP.
Good luck!
My heart goes out to you. Seeing your Mom in that condition has to be emotionally wrenching.
Steps you should take to get help:
1. Talk to the social worker at the dialysis center. Ask him/her for their suggestions.
2. Contact your local Agency on Aging. That's why the agency is in business.
3. If your Mom's area has 2-1-1 service, call it. Often they can connect you with the right services
4. Discuss your Mom's condition with her doctor. Sounds like she has the beginning of dementia and/or depression.
Your mom may no longer be appropriate for independent living. Ask the folks you reach in items 1-4 what housing may be more appropriate.
Looks like you have a challenging time ahead of you. Take a deep breath and realize you can only do what you can do.
If your mom is on dialysis, she should have a nurse and/or a social worker, that you could speak to about this. Is there anyway they could bathe her before giving her a treatment? Just a thought. Make sure her doctor knows that she is not keeping herself clean. Maybe if the doctor orders her to bathe, maybe she will. If you could get to know her doctor, it may be easier for you to voice your concerns to him.