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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think a strip wash isn't very nice?

81 replies

Vanillachocolateyummy · 16/05/2015 14:01

As in a bowl, water, flannel and soap?

AIBU to think that if able people should be able to have a bath or a shower?

OP posts:

CupidStuntSurvivor · 16/05/2015 14:19

Makes a bit more sense Vanilla but if they need help washing, would it even be practical for you to assist them showering? You'd get quite wet I imagine.

hazeyjane · 16/05/2015 14:19

I think you could have worded your op, giving the info you just have.

There is a difference between someone choosing to have a wash in the morning using a sink and flannel, instead of having a shower or bath - and having to be washed by someone, instead of being assisted to use the shower or bath.

I was very grateful when I was in hospital for a long time, when i got the point where i didn't need to be washed by someone else. So yes in the situation you are talking about, an assisted shower would be preferable to a srip wash, imo.

SaucyJack · 16/05/2015 14:19

Ah I see.

If you're coming at this from the angle of wanting to improve care for your clients, then YANBU.

What any able-bodied adult chooses to do in their own bathroom is their business.

sandyway · 16/05/2015 14:19

Always shower, but if I am in a place with only a bath then usually strip wash. Saves water, quick and for the odd occasion no smellier than normal.

Floggingmolly · 16/05/2015 14:19

There isn't the allocated time. So it's not actually a choice or option at all? What would you suggest they do then??

ImperialBlether · 16/05/2015 14:20

I was going to ask that, too, QuiteLikely!

GamerChick, if your SIL has a bath twice a year, what prompts her to do that then? Does she look forward to it? Enjoy it? When she gets out does she think "I won't need another one of them for six months?"

She must be incredibly dirty, even if she doesn't smell. How does she wash her back, for one thing?

Original poster

Vanillachocolateyummy · 16/05/2015 14:22

Of course it's their business! I worded my OP assuming most people like me would want a bath or a shower. I wondered if some would choose a strip wash. Obviously there are some cases where people are poorly and can't shower - that's different.

As I say, I did say 'people should be able to have a bath or a shower' and think strip washes are better than nothing but cant actually be very nice for a lot of people.

To be honest I think some people just wanted a row.

OP posts:

DameDoom · 16/05/2015 14:25

I have a colleague who just washes. Apparently, according to her she does not smell or sweat like the rest of us mingers. Us mingers (shower and bathe) concur that she stinks of unwashed vjayjay, unchanged bed, BO and disgusting breath.

FernGullysWoollyPully · 16/05/2015 14:28

I don't want a row OP!

Of course I prefer a shower in the evenings. But i see no problem with a strip wash every morning for me and my children. We are clean.

BitOutOfPractice · 16/05/2015 14:28

I don't get what you mean. Do you mean that people who could have a bath or shower but don't, or do you mean that everyone should have the facility to have a bath shower and it's wrong if they don't have that facility

Some people don't have a shower - and a bath is quite time consuming, not to mention expensive to heat.

StatisticallyChallenged · 16/05/2015 14:30

Having recently been injured and totally unable to get to a bath or shower for a while, I bloody hated strip washes. Whilst they might be fine to fill a gap e.g. every second day or similar, they're not enough as a main method of washing really. I don't shower every single day (so shoot me) but after a couple of weeks of strip washes I felt hideous.

Original poster

Vanillachocolateyummy · 16/05/2015 14:32

In my job, I am given 10 minutes per person for personal care. This doesn't cover the time for a shower or bath bearing in mind they are obviously frail or find it difficult. So they have to have a strip wash. I feel that isn't very nice for them. Obviously if they were choosing a strip wash, that would be different.

Fern, you have a shower, you are able to have one then and I assume your children are able to. Suppose your children needed care and someone said 'well they can ONLY have one shower a week?' Would you be happy?

OP posts:

BadgersArse · 16/05/2015 14:32

I can't imagine it. The only time I do is if whizzing home from work and literally walking out the door. I'd strip hop off. Hot wet flannel with soap on. Quick wash of arms. Whoosh between the legs and out again.

BadgersArse · 16/05/2015 14:32

Top. Not hop

hazeyjane · 16/05/2015 14:33

There isn't the allocated time. So it's not actually a choice or option at all? What would you suggest they do then??

Maybe the op thinks that more time should be allocated for the carer to spend with the client, in order to accomodate this.

Damedoom, you and your colleagues sound like right bloody charmers to work with!

Original poster

Vanillachocolateyummy · 16/05/2015 14:34

Too right I do Hazey! I think it's awful.

OP posts:

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 16/05/2015 14:35

After that enormous DRIP feed (pardon the pun), your OP makes more sense. If you'd put it in the first post, you wouldn't have been accused of goadyness.

Higgle · 16/05/2015 14:36

OP, if you work in domiciliary care it is the case that some local authorities won't fund a shower or bath if a strip wash can be done in less time. In the service I run we moan, complain and emphasise personal choice, continence issues etc. to do all we can to change the social workers mind. Sometimes the person or a relation will pay a small supplement to get a bit more time for a shower or hairwash. I can't imagine life without the options of a shower or a soak in the bath and I agree with you 100%. Our generation will not tolerate this sort of situation when our time comes.

Abraid2 · 16/05/2015 14:36

I've used strip washes when I don't want to use the shower. We are in a hard water area and it takes a long time to wipe down the tiles and glass. If you don't get all the water off it is a lengthy job to remove all the limescale later on, so if I just want a quick freshen up between daily bath/showers, I do what badger suggests--flannel and soap. Can't see the problem.

Original poster

Vanillachocolateyummy · 16/05/2015 14:37

Actually, I DID say'if able people should be able to have a strip wash.'

Do NOT accuse me of drip feeding because of YOUR unpleasant and goady attitude.

OP posts:

Piratejones · 16/05/2015 14:37

I had to strip wash my 7 year old for months, and now he only has a few inches of water in the Tub.

Sometimes it's the only option.

SilverSamhainFairy · 16/05/2015 14:38

My mother grew up in a house with no central heating and an outhouse. She vowed she would she would bathe/ shower as often as liked as soon as she was able. Whenever I have had major surgery ( many times over my life) my mum has flown here to care for me. She never trusts the aides to bath any patient as often or as thorough as needed, so she takes that on herself. As soon as possible, she demands the equipment necessary for a shower. I am 50.

hazeyjane · 16/05/2015 14:38

Op, I think you might have sussed this by now, but any thread about personal hygiene....

Is it ok to bath my kids once a week?

Do you shower every day?

How often do you wash your towels?

....turns into a bunfight, with on the one hand people saying, of course it's fine, it's good for the environment, better for your skin etc etc and on the other hand people saying, the other lot are a bunch of minging, reeky stinkers.

hence why it might have been better to state specifics in the beginning (ie you are a carer) - because people are going to come on who haven't read the thread and get narky.

SilverSamhainFairy · 16/05/2015 14:41

I never mind a strip bath...my only issue is my hair. I have long, thick hair that gets dirty and sweaty quickly. My only option if no real bath is to French plait and ignore.

hazeyjane · 16/05/2015 14:41

It is awful, Vanilla, I don't know how carers manage with these ridiculously short time slots. It must make your job really difficult.

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