Rigid body

[Goroos]

Hi everyone.

My mother has PSP late stages. She is in a nursing home and has become rigid in her arms and hands. Can anyone suggest how showering can be done as the staff have started bed baths only as it is difficult for them to shower her rigid body. I know mum loved her showers and would love to hear any suggestions.

Thanks for your ongoing support and help.

[Inarticulate]

Hi Goroos, the only thing that helped dad with his rigidity was Baclofen. It allowed him to be moved despite the problems with rigidity.

[Goroos in reply to Inarticulate]

Thanks for your reply I will ask mum’s doctor about this. Does your Dad get showered still.?.

[Inarticulate in reply to Goroos]

Yes - but my husband and I do all of the care. So while we can keep Dad’s life as normal as possible, we do.

[LuisRodicioRodicio]

We used a plastic wheelchair (type ETAC) special for hygiene and shower. Not a big problem with a rigid body.Hug and luck.

Luis

[daddyt]

Perhaps try Baclofen - muscle relaxant. I would think the nursing home will have a barrier free shower to accommodate a transfer chair.

[Debspottery1]

In direct care we use Shower chairs made from pvc and netting or a shower gurney in case she is needing to lay flat. The straps can be Velcro and waterproof wheels to prevent rust. The problem is handling a soapy wet person who may not cooperate with staff. Safety first.

[Dance1955]

My husband has a ridgid arm it’s difficult to dress him and shower him but I manage it with the help of a Sarah stedy to transfer him 🤗

[Goroos in reply to Dance1955]

Hi Dance1955Could you tell me what a Sarah Stedy is.

Mum has developed a blister on the inside of her forearm. Staff cannot explain. Could it be because she has a rigid arm ?.

Mum has lost a lot of weight in the last months and now weighs 50 kilos( she started at 75).

We are learning about this disease as we go as no one knows about where we live in the country.

Very hard.

Thanks for respondind

[Dance1955 in reply to Goroos]

Hi Goroos yes a Sarah stedy is what I use to transfer my husband it’s very safe as long as a person can weight bear i tried to send you the link but please google it When you say staff cannot explain is mum in a nursing home ? or do you have staff at home just wondered

My husband has a ridgid arm too left it’s horrible isn’t it

Take care

[Goroos in reply to Dance1955]

Hi Dance1955Unfortunately mum entered a nursing home two years ago when she became unsafe at home. That’s when our family started to feel we lost control and everyday we spend our days explaining, disputing and questioning her care.

Both of Mum arms are rigid which make showering hard. Most of the time they are giving her a bed bath.

We have employed a Physio privately. She massages mums arms and straightens them. It is short term relief.

Staff use a hoist with mum now so i think the Sarah stedy may not help. I will have a look at it.

Thanks for your reply. It’s so helpful talking to someone else on this terrible journey. We are in country Victoria Australia and the PSP disease is not common here.

Nice talking thanks

[Dance1955 in reply to Goroos]

Hi Goroos if mum is in a hoist then yes the Sarah stedy might not be suitable Have you tried Cannibis Oil it is now obtainable from the doctors and it’s a very low dose that is recommend our doctor didn’t do it but there are many that do so we went to another one just for that I think it helps relax the whole mind and body a bit might be worth a try not cheap I pay $203 for a small bottle lasts for depending on dose

5 to 8 weeks

Take care your mum is lucky to have you to care for her xx

[Goroos]

My mum is very weak. She is in a princess chair, weighs 51 kilos, doesn’t talk, has trouble eating , rigid arms and cry’s a lot. Wears a patch for pain.

Do you think the oil could help with these symptoms.

I will ask her doctor.

Thank you.