It started with his toenails, my husband couldn’t hold the clippers in his fingers anymore and so he asked for help. I am not a nail technician, but also know that he would not be comfortable going out for a pedicure, so I had him stretch out on the bed and set to work. Only drawing blood on one toe seemed a pretty successful outcome for our first attempt.

Toenails led to fingernails then to trimming hair in eyebrows, ears and nostrils. It was challenging at first for me to figure out how to approach him regarding things that might need attention. The technique that appears to work best is for me to mention that I am doing my own nails or whatever it might be, and then ask if he would like me to do his at the same time. I try to make the offer as matter of fact as possible and he will either agree with me or ask me to do it another time, at any rate the conversation has begun. I am careful not to say that I know he can’t do this anymore, instead I simply ask if he would like me to do it for him.

There may come a time when his personal hygiene needs become more than I can support and we will hire outside help. We will make that decision together as things progress. In the meantime, I will keep doing what I can to help him maintain his health, his appearance and his dignity.