I have a female health-aide who is married and 60. I am a 62-year-old male. I feel somewhat uncomfortable about her helping me bathe because I need a total left-hip replacement and it is hard for me to stand up in the shower to bathe, she has no problem with it, I just feel uncomfortable about it. What should I do, should I let her help me anyways or what?
If you aren't comfortable standing there are already lots of suggestions about shower seats and benches that should help you feel more comfortable and secure.
If you feel odd having someone bathe you please let me assure you a professional aide does this all the time! They are used to helping strangers bathe and should be able to do it efficiently and protecting your privacy/modesty.
I had an experience a few years ago that drove this home to me. I work as a companion aide through an agency. I am not supposed to do any kind of hands-on personal care at all, and quite frankly, I don't want to! I am simply a companion.
One day my 90 year old dementia client had been in the bathroom a very long time, always saying he was ok when I called in to him. Finally I asked if I could enter and he said yes, but was ashamed because he had had a bowel accident. His own efforts at cleaning up only made things worse, and I had no choice but to step in and help.
My first thought was OMG! My second thought was OK, we gotta get this done. I put on gloves and did what I had to do, not thinking about how awful it was, no thought about seeing my client half naked or touching him while getting him clean. Purely business.
When I was all done and he was clean (as well as the bathroom) and in clean clothes it fully struck me what I had done. And I was more convinced than ever that I want to stay on the companion end of the work, not personal care, but if push came to shove I could get through it! And my calm professionalism helped him get through it too.
So, don't be uncomfortable! It's all in a days work for your aide.
Best of luck to you.
If you are still uncomfortable with the caregiver dismiss her and get a replacement.
Some of the other posters suggested getting a shower chair and I think that's a good idea. You could also get one of those things that Velcro's around your waist and have that on as you are entering the shower and existing the shower so that your privates are covered when she is assisting you in and out.
Hopefully you can get that hip replacement soon so you can get back to taking care of yourself. You've still got some good years ahead of you!
Take care.