Is it wrong to let an Alzheimer's patient sleep through the night in soiled diapers?

1 answer | Last updated: Sep 21, 2011
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Caring.com User - Jennifer Serafin, N.P.
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Jennifer Serafin, N.P. is a registered nurse and geriatric nurse practitioner at the Jewish Homes for the Aged in San Francisco.
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Reading through your question, I do agree that there are times when toileting someone in the night can be too much of a hassle. In your situation, I agree that See also:
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toileting is causing you and her more trouble, especially since she is fighting you the entire time. So, I do believe it is OK for you to manage her incontinence at night with briefs. With that in mind, I do not think "diapering her up extremely well" and letting her sleep all night is a good plan. I am worried that eventually this will harm her skin, meaning that she will develop a rash or bedsore on her buttocks.

What I would recommend to you is to change her brief at least once or twice during the night to make sure her skin is OK. I would also recommend using a protective ointment (like A&D or desitin) on her backside after you cleanse her skin to help protect her from developing skin breakdown. Hope this helps!

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