Problem Taking Showers

I also have trouble getting into the shower due to anxiety and just putting it off You can get a tub transfer bench and a hand held shower There are agencies that help with that stuff to make a shower safer But there is no reason you must shower. You can get perfectly clean with a sponge bath and you can wash your head in the sink There are also nice smelling body wiped The whole shower thing is overrated and really not necessary, especially as we age. so its ok and nothing to be ashamed of😉❤️

I find your post very sad and I pray that you can find your way out of this rabbit hole. You have a lot to deal with. Do you share your feelings possibly with a close friend who will understand you? I hate to insult you but have you seen a psychiatrist? I'm 76 and through my younger years I saw maybe 5 or 6 of them and the talk did help somewhat. I'm told that antidepressants should also add talk therapy but I really didn't think at this age that I had anything else to talk about. Too much about me. I do pray that you find some help and it's not easy to climb above your crap and I'm not trying to be cute. Every day I watch too much TV and I am on my computer maybe 2 - 3 hours a day, sometimes playing word games which does relax me. I wish I had more encouraging words to give you. Please seek some help you sound very despondent. I hope that some others from this site will be able to help you out. Please take care of yourself. Nancy (Hug coming your way)

Thank you so much for your comments. I'm not afraid of falling (I'm 75 years old) although at times I am but that's not the reason for my not showering. It just seems overwhelming to get in the tub and once I do I enjoy it so much and give myself kudos for finally getting it done. I tell myself I will start taking showers more often and then maybe it will just turn into an everyday thing but that never works. I have been told that elderly people do get lazy with their hygiene but I don't feel that this is the case because I have always been immaculate with myself but not for a long time. Seems since my sister died on September 20 of 2015, my cat died shortly before my sister passed and I quite my job when Judy became ill with a rare form or cancer and I just could not concentrate anymore with so much on my mind. After that my life changed to much. I'm rambling here so I'll end my comments here. Thank you again for taking the time to write to me. : )

Depression is actually high for elderly who go through so much loss and are often isolated Its worth getting treatment no matter how old you are! Start by calling your primary care provider and they can refer you, or the senior center. You are truly worth it and worth being taken care of and you are not alone

I’m disabled but I have bought 2 bar grips and a really good bath mat that’s as long as my shower floor, but I’m still afraid of falling. I have fallen a couple of times and cracked some ribs. I have a shower chair but it fills up the whole shower and is inconvenient. Sorry if I sound like a crazy old lady who whines.

And theres also dry shampoo which many travelers swear by😉
Not to make light I know a retiring beautician who volunteers and goes to folks homes -maybe someone around you? Worth asking

Yippee skippee, I took a bloody shower today but didn’t wash my hair but I’m clean and I truly believe it is due to you folks. All your encouragement, support, and kind words of advice are the reason I got into the shower and scrubbed the heck out of my skin. Thank you all very much!

Thank you so much for your comments. I'm not afraid of falling (I'm 75 years old) although at times I am but that's not the reason for my not showering. It just seems overwhelming to get in the tub and once I do I enjoy it so much and give myself kudos for finally getting it done. I tell myself I will start taking showers more often and then maybe it will just turn into an everyday thing but that never works. I have been told that elderly people do get lazy with their hygiene but I don't feel that this is the case because I have always been immaculate with myself but not for a long time. Seems since my sister died on September 20 of 2015, my cat died shortly before my sister passed and I quite my job when Judy became ill with a rare form or cancer and I just could not concentrate anymore with so much on my mind. After that my life changed to much. I'm rambling here so I'll end my comments here. Thank you again for taking the time to write to me. : )

If it makes you feel any better, you are not alone. I struggle to get in a bath or shower too. It just feels too difficult. Also, I have to monitor my oxygen constantly, especially with any activity, and it isn't possible to wear an oximeter, or oxygen therapy, in the bath or shower. I have been sponge bathing, using disposable washcloths/wipes. I am trying not to beat myself up and just use the ways I can cope with to get clean. I am hopeful that things will normalize if I can get my oxygen readings stabilized. If not, I just do the best I can in the easiest way possible. I hope this is some small encouragement to you. We have enough to deal with, with this LC nightmare. I think it's important to do whatever feels easiest whenever we can.