AboutMargot RN BScN GNC Expertise GERONTOLOGY (NURSING ISSUES RELATED TO THE ELDERY) I have 15+ years experience working with the elderly. I would be pleased to offer any assistance I can. My areas of expertise include: Gerontology / Geriatrics, Long Term Care, Community Nursing, Palliative Care, Private Nursing Services, Intermediate / Extended Care. I also have a personal interest in Homeopathic and Eastern Medicine. If I can not answer your question I`ll do my best to direct you to an appropriate resource. Thank you.
Experience I have fifteen years experience in Gerontological Nursing both in the community, and in Long Term Care. I have worked as a General Duty Nurse, a Nurse Manager, and a Nursing Consultant in Long Term Care and Community Nursing.I have a great deal of experience working with, assessing, and educating in the field of Gerontology (Nursing the Elderly). I am familiar with the challenges associated with Dementia (Alzheimer's), Chronic and Terminal illnesses, and the stresses of residential homes Experience in the area 20 years of Long Term Care and Community Nursing, specialising in Geriatrics, Gerontology and PalliativeCare.
Education/Credentials Registered Nurse , Certified Gerontological Nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
My dad has this habit of using a dry cloth to wash his hands and then wipe
his mouth, which will later be used to dry off our plates and glasses. Just the
other day, he did the same thing and he also used the cloth to wipe off the
sweat from his bare chest. I can't help but think that what he is doing is
completely unsanitary.
Is it?
Best regards,
Julian
Answer Hi Julian,
It does sound like your Dad has pretty lax hygienic habits and you do have wonder what else he might do that you don't see. I'm not sure there's much you can do about it, if he's older he may be quite set in his ways, but you could try talking to him if you feel he would listen. How do you think he'd react if you politely told him you're not comfortable drinking out of glasses he's wiped with the same cloth he used to wipe his sweaty body?
Is there anything simple that could be done to prevent him from this habit such as buying him extra dish towels or even a dishwasher?
On the other hand, if this is a new behaviour and not typical of how your Dad used to be, it could be an indication of something else going on which is effecting his judgment. If this is the case then you'll want to report any changes in behaviour you've noticed to his primary physician so he can investigate treatable causes (like a simple infection).
I hope it work out for you. Some people are just stubborn and don't care, but I don't know your Dad so there may be ways to guide him to improve his habits.
