The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)

by Nancy L. Mace

Be calm and gentle when you help with a bath. Avoid getting into discussions about whether a bath is needed. Instead, tell the person one step at a time what to do in preparation for the bath. Avoid: “Dad, I want you to take a bath right after breakfast.” (“Right after breakfast” means he has to remember something.) Avoid responding to “I don’t need a bath” by saying, “Oh yes you do. You haven’t had a bath in a week.” (You would not like to have him say that to you, especially if you couldn’t remember when you last had a bath.) Try: “Dad, your bath water is ready.” “I don’t need a bath.” “Here is your towel. Now, unbutton your shirt.” (His mind may focus on the buttons instead of on the argument. You can gently help him if you see him having difficulty.) “Now stand up. Undo your pants, Dad.” “I don’t need a bath.” “Now step into the tub.”