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My 96 year father recently recently got a new bathing aid, and she is insisting that he stand up so she can clean and rinse his bottom area. He has a walk in shower and a rolling shower chair that has a large opening in the middle so all she has to do is get the shower wand and rinse him off while he is sitting. He is a high fall risk and he has fallen in the past and broken his hip. When I mentioned this to her, she told me she has been a bathing aid for 20 plus years and he is not going to fall. She is not listening to my instructions that he is never stand in the shower. Any advice would be appreciated.

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Thanks for all the replies. I called the agency and requested a different aid. Hope she is better!
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Reply to Kiddo53
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AlvaDeer 12 hours ago
Good work, kiddo.
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Does this aid work for an agency?
If so, then you will call and you will say this: "My dad is fragile and frail and not good on his feet; he loves his shower and has a special chair with bottom cutout so that his privates can be accessed for easy cleansing. I have asked the aid to allow my father to sit throughout his shower as my greatest fear for him is a fall that could usher in the beginning of the end at 96. The aid ignored my request and said (quote her here). I am requesting that this particular aid not return. I believe she is a danger to my Dad."

If she is private hire, then it's EASIER even than this.

The truth is that at 96 your Dad is in grave danger with most anything. My concern is that you are too involved, but having said that, a fall when your back is turned is going to break your heart.
Best of luck to you. What concerns me here is not the aid and how she DOES things, but her attitude to a family member who is very concerned.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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I too would get another aide. If you have been nice up to now maybe be a little more assertive. "I appreciate your experience of 20 yrs but as your employer, I am telling you to use the chair."
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Get another aide. A good aide is willing to listen to family members and what works for their loved one. If he falls in the shower then you have the problem of helping him up. That's what shower chairs are for.
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Reply to Scampie1
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She should be easily replaceable
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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Your request is reasonable and valid . If she won’t listen to you , fire her . Get a new bathing aide .
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Reply to waytomisery
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Kiddo, I always cringe when people lead with how long they have been doing something.

Tell her that you prefer her to do it your way.

That neither you nor dad are comfortable with him standing. But if it is an inconvenience to her then you will need to replace her. You need someone you can work with.
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Reply to 97yroldmom
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