Toileting Tips for Stroke Survivors

Getting Started

• Always wear disposable gloves when helping with toileting. This prevents the spread of disease.
• Wash your hands before and after providing care.

Toileting in Bed

When a person is mobile, toileting in bed should not be encouraged.

Toileting in Bed for a Female or for Bowel Movements

• Warm the bedpan with warm water. Empty the water into the toilet.
• Powder the bedpan with talcum powder to keep the skin from sticking to it.
• Place a tissue or water in the pan to make cleaning easier. Or use a light spray of vegetable oil in the bedpan, which will make it easier to empty the contents.
• Raise the person's gown.
• Ask the person to raise her hips.
• If the person cannot raise her hips, turn her on her side and roll the hips back onto the bedpan.
• If the person cannot do so, clean the anal area with bathroom tissue. Then use a wet tissue to clean the area.
• After the woman has urinated, pour a cup of warm water over her genitals and pat the area dry with a towel.
• Wash the person's hands.
• Remove and empty the bedpan.
• Be sure to wash your hands.

Using a Urinal

• If the person can't do so himself, place the penis into the urinal as far as possible and hold it in.
• When the person signals he is finished, remove and empty the urinal.
• Wash his hands.
• Wash your own hands.

Using a Portable Commode

A portable commode is helpful for a person with limited mobility. The portable commode (with the pail removed) can be used over the toilet seat and as a shower seat.

• Gather the portable commode, toilet tissue, a basin, a cup of water, a washcloth or paper towel, soap, and a towel.
• Wash your hands.
• Help the person onto the commode.
• Offer toilet tissue when the person is finished.
• Pour a cup of warm water on female genitalia.
• Pat the area dry with a paper towel.
• Offer a washcloth so the person can wash his or her hands.
• Remove the pail from under the seat, empty it, rinse it with clear water, and empty the water into the toilet.
• Wash your hands.