DEFINITION - "PERSONAL CARE"

Definition – “Personal Care”

This phrase covers different activities with Mom. It could refer to some or all of the following activities; (rarely all, usually some)brushing Mom’s hair, washing her face, washing her hands, putting on face cream, cleaning and/or cutting her fingernails, putting hand cream on arms and legs, checking her feet, trimming her toe nails.  C.N.A.s are not allowed to cut nails. I don’t think they are allowed to apply cream, either. I know for a fact that at least one C.N.A. has cut Mom’s nails, for  which I am grateful. Family members can do all sorts of things that are awkward or forbidden to C.N.A.s. The rules say that medical staff (R.N., doctor, specialists) can cut nails. RNC keeps Mom cleaner than either I or Cynthia ever managed. I don’t know how they do it. Mom used to fight me tooth and nail at bath time. But her skin is dry and she benefits from creams. Especially on her hands, arms, legs and face. Her feet don’t need as much attention as they used to because she doesn’t use them much now. I keep clippers and other forbidden items in a bag in the top of her closet with a suitcase lock on it. Anything marked “Keep out of reach of children” is kept in the bag. For example mouthwash. I put mouthwash in with her dentures sometimes instead of denture cleanser every night. Toe nail clippers are also in the bag. I carry a small pocket knife in my purse that I use for cleaning Mom’s nails, usually, but to cut her nails, the clippers. There are a few things in the bottom drawer of the dresser that are iffy as far as the State is concerned. For example, I have a brand of glasses cleanser that does not say “Keep out of…” in that bottom drawer.

 I once found the little suitcase lock on the bag missing. My theory is that someone broke it to see if there were “valuables”, jewelry or money, in the bag. It is just a tiny little lock. I had another just like it and replaced it, same keys. Thievery really is unusual at RNC. Things disappear then other things appear that I’ve never seen before. I don’t wash her face with soap anymore. It is too complicated. Mom doesn’t follow spoken commands well any more so it is difficult to get her to keep her eyes closed. They do keep her clean. Her bath time is early morning. But she does enjoy a warm cloth on her face and a good wipe of hands and face. And I have hand sanitizer for her hands in addition to hand cream.