I would tell my mom we would have a spa day and she would let me help her shower and wash her hair. I would do her makeup and everything and she said that she felt better.

Hi. I bought a portable shampoo bowl from Sallly's online. I told my husband it will be very relaxing for him to have his hair washed. Solved one problem. As for not showering - this is an ongoing issue as he reluctantly lets me give him brief sponge baths. This is one aspect of the illness that I really don't like!

My FIL went through this stage and would take what I call sink baths. He would wash off in the sink thinking he was taking a shower. That went on quite some time. Now he is just the opposite for the last couple months he has showered everyday and there has been days he has showered twice a day. When I go out shopping a check out the clearance racks and try to find him new clothes to wear. I will tell him I got him something new and I need him to try it on to see if it fits.

When my mom was still at home, I would go over and get the bathroom ready and if she wasn't receptive I would sit and visit with her a bit. Then I would get a towel and a soapy washcloth and I'd sit on the floor in front of her chair and wash her legs from the knee down and her feet then dried them with the towel. I'd get a fresh wet cloth and wipe her face and neck. By this time she was visibly more relaxed so I'd ask her if it felt good and lets go get in the tub to get the rest of her clean. It worked for the few times I tried it before she went into a memory care unit. I would also add Epsom salt with lavender to her bath and I just saw now there is one with melatonin in it but not sure how that would work in the shower.

I have the health aid provider tell her that her hair does not smell good and that someone special will be visiting her and she would hate to not smell her best. My mother loved her showers, at times she showered twice a day. She told me that if she ever lost her memory, to not let her go a day without showering. She just has to be reminded. Now she showers 3 to 4 times a week.