Hair washing

[Madge]

I was wondering how people deal with washing their hair. I have used a dry shampoo cap but my hair is past my shoulders and it did not work for me. My palliative carer suggested getting a blow up sink. Has anyone else used one and what are your thoughts etc are there good and bad ones. Please don’t tell me to cut my hair short, as I have always had long hair and it’s enough to deal with the MND😢

[Ellie]

Definitely don't cut your hair Madge if it's your pride and joy!!!

By 'dry shampoo', do you mean the caps or a bottle? I think the caps are better but neither seem to work well on long hair on an ongoing basis, at least for that 'squeaky clean feel'...

I used an inflatable basin a good few years ago, successfully and without drenching me or the bed 😏 It was in the hospice so unfortunately I couldn't say which brand it was. Can you lie flat on your back comfortably for the duration of a hairwash?

I presume you can't wash it in the shower - silly question really as, if you could, you wouldn't have asked the question 🤦♀️😬

Love Ellie xx

[Madge]

Hi Ellie
my hair isn’t so much my pride and joy it’s more I don’t want to lose something else to this horrible disease x
I have tried the cap and my hair wouldn’t fit in the cap and I have tried from the bottle and it wasn’t ideal.
I am in contact with my local hospice so perhaps they may recommend a suitable one.
I don’t use the shower anymore, too difficult to get in and out. I have an electric seat in the bath but that is now getting difficult and gives me anxiety being lifted on and off.
love Madge x

[Deb]

Oh Madge.. Don't cut your lovely hair! It will feel like another thing you've lost to MND.

I have a reclining shower chair so i can have my hair washed but my breathing is OK. I can also manage to lean forward just about to have it washed. Would that work for you ?

I have a friend with MND on 24/ 7 niv and she has her beautiful hair washed in sections by her carers.

My arms are getting weak to dry my hair so I'm trying to train my hubby to do a blow dry ! 🤣 I've no idea why he finds it so tricky.. I look like Boris when he's finished xx1😘🤗

[Deb]

So sorry Madge i sent this before I read your last post about the shower. Hugs to you xx😘🤗

[Ellie]

I don’t use the shower anymore, too difficult to get in and out. I have an electric seat in the bath but that is now getting difficult and gives me anxiety being lifted on and off.

That's a shame Madge - is there any possibility of having the bathroom to be converted into a wetroom?

You may be able to borrow something from the hospice to see if it's viable xx

[Mary C]

Madge
Hi Madge, like Ellie said is there any scope to adapt your bathroom.Have you asked OT to assess?
Would the hospice let you use their bathroom facility or if they have a visiting hairdresser could you book in( covid permitting)Before I had a wetroom I rang the local care home out of interest to see if I could use their bathroom at least weekly.For a fee they said I could do that though I never needed to.

I have a hairdresser who colours my hair and does this at my home( it’s not cheap but it’s every 2 months) . I can still lean forward over a sink so hairdresser uses that method.
Luckily I now have a wetroom

look on Amazon as there are a few inflatable sinks and equipment to attach to wheelchair etc..something might suit you .Good luck
Best wishes
Maryx

[Madge]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and ideas. I do go to my local hospice for a bath and hair wash but because of Covid they can’t accommodate me every week it’s more like once a month x
you did make me laugh Deb, my hubby blow dries my hair but it looks ok for me to sit in doors 😀 I’m not sure I could train him to use a round brush (he is bald) x
my hair dresser comes to my home to cut and style it as and when x it’s exhausting x
just getting ready for strictly 💃

[DeeH]

Hi Madge

For different reasons I have a difficult time washing my hair, on accasion.

I too have long hair but fine.

Refuse to cut it short as I can always put it up if need be plus my hair short is extremely unruly.

Pantene have a dry shampoo FOAM, which you use as leave in.

It is a bit of practice getting the right amount (every small), I got it on Amazon, if you look under dry shampoo.
Not saying it will feel squeaky clen but look and smell nice. For in between washing.

Good luck

I know what you mean about losing things to MND, my husband has lost all his hobbies and worse reading books.

Some people suggested getting rid of his book collection (not on my watch)
(Audibile is ok)
With the loss of the function in his hands.

[Ellie]

Some people suggested getting rid of his book collection (not on my watch)

Wise woman, Donna 👍

Is he an ebook fan, or even does he tolerate them? It would be easy enough to add a button switch as a left click (turn the page) if he'd like to read on a tablet/laptop. xx

[MartinB]

Hi Madge, I faced this problem for my wife after she lost the use of her arms and hands but have overcome it. We purchased one of the blow up hair washing kits from Amazon, it has a ‘sink’ a fillable shower bag and head and a cape. Using her over bed ceiling hoist to support her I lower her into a comfortable position ensuring the cape is reversed to stop leakage down her back. Wet her hair, wash and rinse is easy once you get used to it. There are also some no water wash caps that are handy for occasional washes. Simply warm in the microwave for 20 seconds place on her head, tuck her hair in and massage for three minutes, don’t worry if all her hair doesn't go in simply reverse the cap and massage, work through the longer hear.

[matthew55]

I use the caps and drench always impresses my carers. Smells lovely 😁🤗👌👏xx