How do you point out bad hygene?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 11, 2007

How about finding literature that explains such thing? How environmental health plays a role in personal health.

caliotter3 · Mar 11, 2007

I know you are not paid to be her housekeeper but you might offer to help her with a clean up, perhaps one corner at a time, at each visit. Add extra time to the visit, and try to talk about anything while this is going on. Tell her it is easier to keep up, if she starts from a good starting point. I know how hard it is to get started. I would think that having some company would make it easier. You can make it like girl time. And don't forget some music.

I know she is poor, but does she have a computer? You could introduce her to Flylady.org. (I think that is the name of the site). It provides a fun way for frazzled housekeepers to get their houses in order.

You might want to approach her with the thought that she might at some time want to socialize. You can't very well invite people over to a dirty place (unless of course they live that way too). It is really sad for a 17 yr old to be living like this. If she doesn't learn something now, 20 yrs from now, she'll be in the same place. Good luck.

KJRN79 · Mar 12, 2007

JMHO, but I am wondering about her mental/emotional status. She sounds like she could be very depressed (pre-abdominal wound problem.) How is the rest of the house? Is it the same, or is it only her room? Just another little something to think about.

RN BSN 2009 · Mar 12, 2007

I imagine since she has uninvolved parents, there was nobody there in the first place to teach her good hygeine.

CHATSDALE · Mar 12, 2007

one sign of depression is a lack of interest in personal hygiene

perhaps it is only part of their life that they can control

do yo have visiting housekeepers where you are at

Nurseonwheels · Mar 12, 2007

Yes I agree, I think she is depressed. The rest of the house is also very dirty. So i agree that she has noone to show her the ropes. I offered a mental helth consult but without success. She refuses to see her GP or a dermatologist for her condition (it is a misterious skin disorder we havent figured how to cure yet). Her dressing change is very easy and somewhat embarassing as she must remove her underwear. She however, refuses to take any part of caring for it herself. Very, very difficult situation. Trying to be educational while not insulting her is very difficult. I overhear nurses talking about her, and they're not very nice. I wish she could see someone.

psalm, RN · Mar 12, 2007

Does she watch TV or have magazines around her room? If so, you could subtley point out some hygiene products and ask her if she's tried them, liked them etc. Does she like certain fragrances? Does she smoke? If so (and this is not to start a fight) she may be used to an environment that is not "fresh-air clean". Is her vision good? Maybe she can't see the dirt due to poor vision.

But she does sound depressed.

If the whole house is dirty, maybe a call to protective services is in order, or is that for those under 16? If there are animals in the home the possiblility of intervention would increase ( evidence of animal feces or urine ?). Possible neglect and/or abuse.

Let us know how it goes. Praying for you as you deal professionally with this.

cisco · Mar 15, 2007

I had a patient with a mysterious rash on her breasts...we couldn't find the cure either until one day I caught her by peering quietly behind the privacy curtain, she was injecting herself with an insulin syringe filled with a small amount of her own feces. It's called Munchausen syndrome, we called in pysch, informed the doctor and got her on the appropriate antibiotics.