My father has Lewy Body Dementia and can't find the bathroom at night, even though we leave the light on. Any ideas on how to guide him to the toilet?
Expert Answer by Beth Spencer
Beth Spencer is a social worker in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with more than 25 years of experience with families who have a member with dementia. She is coauthor of Understanding Difficult Behaviors and Moving a Relative with Memory Loss: A Family Caregiver's Guide. She directs Silver Club, early-stage and adult day programs serving individuals with Alzheimer's and related illnesses.
Many people reach a point in their dementia where they are no longer capable of finding their way around. This is often worse at night, probably because of darkness and shadows, and the additional confusion that comes with sleep.
Your father may have reached a point where he will need assistance getting to the bathroom at night. However, there are a couple of environmental things you could try first. You could try some environmental cues. Large posters that have one word and an arrow on them could point the way. Choose the word he uses, such as toilet or bathroom, or a photo of the commode with an arrow. If it's not far or complicated, a couple of posters might guide him, especially if you practice it during the day.
Keeping a portable commode next to the bed sometimes solves this problem. If he wakes up and sees the commode right there, he doesn't have to go searching for it. It may take some training and reassurance to get him to feel comfortable using it though. Modern Americans aren't used to having toilets next to our beds!
