What's the best way to control odor from urinary incontinence?
Start by checking to make sure that her diapers or incontinence briefs fit her well and aren't leaking. Where does she put the used diapers or briefs after they're soiled? If she hasn't yet bought one, you should recommend that she buy a special bin for soiled diapers, like the one you would use for a baby's diapers; this keeps odor from seeping out.
You should also check to see if your mother has had accidents. Vinegar and water with a little elbow grease can lift the smell out of upholstered furniture or bedding. Clean her carpets or get them professionally cleaned. Find out, too, if she's letting soiled laundry sit around. She should also use a covered clothes hamper.
If she's willing, your mother can take an oral supplement that reduces or eliminates odor by deodorizing urine. It's called chlorophyllin copper complex and it's probably available at your local health food store. But check first with your mother's doctor to find out if it's safe for her. Anyone taking blood thinners or antibiotics, or anyone with kidney failure, shouldn't take it.
the odor problem is coming from my 90 year old incontinent, dad. It's impossible to keep him dry. He has alzheimers and has no control. A fresh pullup can get soiled within minutes. He is in a skilled nursing facility. He's still mobile with a walker. The administrator of the facility has told me about my father's odor. I reminded her "that smelly old man is my dad". Any solutions?????
My moms house also had an odor from disposing of soiled products in just any bag she found around the house, especially the ones you get from the grocery stores. I found a product called Heaven Scent Hygiene Bags and they are lightly scented blue bags that did the job for her. No more odors in her house! We found a store locally that carries the product but I originally ordered them online. Hope this helps.
Warning! the chlorophyllin copper complex nearly killed my 90 year old father. The adverse effect of chlorophyllin is severe diahrea. Within a week he was completely dehydrated and nearly unconscious. FYI, it did solve the odor problem but at what cost. The elderly are fraile and their systems are easily upset by medications. If you try the chlorophyllin be sure to monitor for the adverse effect.
I keep a Lavender diffuser on top of the wardrobe where no one can get into it. everyone comments on how mom's room always smells nice.
Try dousing surfaces with sanitizer, such as Lysol. It really does work. NeutraAir is even better because the scent is not as astringent.
Foul odor can also be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Older people that wear briefs are at a much greater risk for UTIs than younger ones because of incontinence, immobility, urinary retention and sometimes renal failure. Confusion, fever, lower abdominal pain and frequent and burning on urination can also be signs. A doctor can do a simple check of the urine to test for this. I work in an ER and this is a very common source of infection in elderly people. These are also the ones that have the really foul smelling urine, you can smell it from a mile away. It can't hurt to check
My mom was just at the E.R. and I had them check for UTI because of the foul odor and sure enough she did have a UTI and will start meds tomorrow for it. Thank God.
My cousin with Alzhiemer's has become incontinent. I just discovered a wet bed, I'm using a spray of 1part white vinegar and 1part water. Blot the spot with paper towels then spray, wait two minutes, if odor is still there spray again. Place bowls of baking soda in the room to absorb odors. I also have a Diaper Champ diaper bucket I got off Craigslist in the bathroom to dispose of soiled "nappies". Diaper Champ uses ordinary kitchen trash bags and once the nappy is in there is no odor. I also do not use depends, they don't hold enough fluid and are more expensive because you have to change them more often. I use Molicare they have various sizes and even one for over night. You can find them here http://www.adultdiapers.org/moaddi.html. Price goes up at the end of December. I have used this company for years for various friends and relatives. You can call them if you have a problem with an order and they always help. The owner when I started was disabled and was trying to get us low cost supplies. Another supplier, has the pullups for about the same price, shipping included both places. http://www.cheapchux.com/momoforexuse.html Hope this helps.
It helps to use an incontinence product that has built-in odor control. My favorite product is the Prevail Adult Pull-up. I have been buying them at www.totalhomecaresupplies where I can get a big box sent with no charge for shipping. It looks like 17 other people wrote a review for Prevail Pull-Ups on this website and the average rating is 4.7 out of 5 stars, so this makes me feel great that I am not alone.
Hope this helps! Gina
