Thanks Gwen, I have a ton of support.
Having worked on medical surgical in the hospital was very handy experience, since I often had 2 or 3 confused patients and usually a case load of 9 to 13 total on a shift. Having just one, is rather nice although I am on 24 as opposed to the 13 hours that 12 hour shifts usually end up. I get lots of breaks. It was difficult at first when separating my nurse role from my daughter role, but I am working it out. It mostly only is a real problem when there is some crisis or other.

 Lesanne, your background as a nurse has really come in good for your mom.  Sounds as if you have everything well under control and have managed wisely.  Your mom is blessed to have you.
 Gwen
   "Lesanne" <larnim48@nothotmail.com> wrote in message news:qDMQe.202335$0f.192015@tornado.texas.rr.com...
   Florence mentioned sharing "nurse" things, and I have been thinking about this subject but not adding a lot because I was in a challenging course and really busy. I have a break right now and thought I would share what we are doing.

   We take Mom to the beauty parlor for a good hair wash once a week. They are handicapped friendly, so we just roll her in her wheelchair although she can still walk, and back it up to the hair washing stand. I take her home with curlers in, remove them and brush her out when her hair is dry and take them back the next time, sort of a revolving loan. She does not like the dryer.

   Elder skin usually is very delicate and does not really need to be washed as frequently as those of us who are more active. That said, I bathe the private areas when "helping" her with her underwear changes, with baby wipes. I give that area a good wash about once a day with baby wipes made even more moist in a sink of warm water with a squirt of baby shampoo in it.

   About twice a week I stand her with her back to the mirror in her bathroom with the space heater on and her feet on a thick towel, and wash her with a washcloth, and some nicely scented soap, again added to the basin of warm water. I do it in zones, and dry each zone as I go, starting at the top and going down, with the peri area last. She gripes only until we start, at that point she likes the smell of the soap and the back massage that goes with. I fill the other half of the double sink with rinse water and use a different washcloth. Since the water is ready when I get her in there, she does not have to hear running water or look in the mirror, both of which will agitate her.

   Every other week I do her feet really well in one of those foot bath things designed for pedicures. Her skin is in great shape, and she never smells bad.

   --
   Lesanne

HA. I am not all that .. I am a really good nurse, it is in my bones. I promised my Dad I would do this. One reason I have so many activities set up around here is so I can do other things. One thing I totally agree with that is said often here, is that this is very very difficult. It drove me back into group counseling for myself, although truly I was really educationally and geographically prepared to do this work. I cannot imagine what it must be like for most families.

 lesanne, everyone should have a daughter as loving and caring as you.  

 chris in oz