Dementia Family Care

Bathing resistance can sometimes turn into physical aggression. If the person you are caring for begins to hit, scream, or fight back, stop trying to bathe them.

From experience, I know that when my mother gets to that point, continuing to push usually does not help.

On days like this, I give up on the bath for the moment. I use cleansing wipes to clean her as thoroughly as I can and help her change into clean clothes.

Then I move on with the day.

Sometimes we go out as we normally would. We might walk around Costco, visit the Korean market, have something she likes to eat, or simply spend a few hours away from the situation.

When we come home, her mood may be completely different.

Then I try the bath again.

Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.

Stopping for now does not mean giving up. You can always try again later.