Maintaining mealtime dignity - no bibs!
If you’re caring for an elderly loved one who needs help with meals, often there is an issue of food being spilled. It’s distressing for an older person who is eating to know that he or she can’t keep food from falling on their their chest or lap. And, of course, it’s more work for the caregiver because that means another change of clothes.
Most people resolve this issue by using a “bib,” but honestly, how must that make someone feel. We do it in the hospital all the time and we even call it a bib. When I’m working as a nurse, there are a couple of terms I don’t use. I don’t tell a senior I’m “changing the diaper,” I tell them I’m “changing the brief,” and I don’t tell a senior that I need to “put on his bib first.” I usually say something like I’m going to protect your clothes first.
If you’re at home and you do need to help someone cover up at meal time, here’s a suggestion that may be more dignified than a bib: an apron.
For women, you can get all sorts of pretty prints or if you’re handy you can sew a few up. You could even add a bit of protective fabric above the bib part of the apron for a bit more coverage. For men, you could find some cool chef or barbecue aprons, or again, maybe you could sew some if you know how. For either, you could personalize them or if you have children, they could help design them. With all the new crafts available, you can iron photos on, kids can use permanent marker or crayons, all sorts of things.
It may seem like a small thing, but there’s a huge difference between having your adult daughter tie a bib around your neck and help you put on an apron.
Just a thought.
If you’d like to see some easy-to-make patterns and instructions, here’s a site I found:
54 Free Apron Patterns - this site has apron styles from a full coverage apron to a simple dishtowel apron.
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Tags: seniors blog, elderly, elderly eating, maintaining dignity
Filed in Senior Living 3 Comments so far
Elizabeth on 29 Nov 2008 at 7:50 pm #
Marijke, this is such a wonderful idea! I agree the idea of putting on a “bib” before eating is degrading to any adult. And I give you kudos for never referring to incontinence briefs as “diapers.” This is one of my personal pet peeves in nursing. How insulting and humiliating it must be for any elderly person to be told they must wear a “diaper”!
The “bib” issue had baffled me. The idea of using a bucher’s apron instead is absolutely inspired! Thanks for sharing!
Marijke on 29 Nov 2008 at 10:50 pm #
Thanks Elizabeth. I came upon that idea when I was admitting a couple to the residence where I work every so often. The woman was wearing a pretty apron and that’s when it occurred to me that it could double as protection while eating.
I’d love to see kids making aprons for their grandparents too. Think of how much fun that could be.
Ramona on 13 May 2010 at 1:13 pm #
What a lovely idea. ANYTHING that promotes respect. As I was approaching age 50, I began being concerned over what would happen to me in my later years. Who would care for me and would they be kind. I ran across a story on the internet “The Wooden Bowl” I loved this inspirational story about a grandfather who goes to live with his son, his daughter-in-law and their young son. The young couple learn a lesson on respect from the small boy. How they treat the grandfather now is how they can be expected to be treated when they are old and in need of care! Being a writer, I searched and searched to find the origins of the story. It is an old Grimms fairy tale. This is a story that can promote social change. I published this story from the boy’s point of view. The Wooden Bowl - El bol de madera. I believe we teach our loved ones how to treat us. Respect is a gift we can give freely and one we can appreciate when received.