What's the best way to deal with my dad's incontinence after his stroke?
Before his stroke, my 75-year-old father was a very independent and active person. He's now living with us, and although he's made a lot of progress with his recovery, the main issue is his bowel incontinence. Sometimes he'll tell us he has to go, but usually he doesn't even realize it until it's too late and there's a huge mess to clean up. I am at the end of my rope! Will this ever get better? Is there any kind of medical treatment that might help?
Expert Answer
Dealing with bowel incontinence can be very tricky. I would recommend trying to stay on top of this issue by scheduling regular trips to the bathroom. To some extent, you can regulate the timing of your father's bowel movements by using stool softeners, laxatives, and enemas in a controlled and timed fashion; for example, you might give your father a laxative just prior to a scheduled trip to the bathroom. But be sure to check in with your father's doctor about using these medications, because overuse can lead to diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte disturbances.
Even one regularly scheduled bathroom trip a day, preceded by a medication to help get the bowels moving, might be enough to prevent accidents later in the day. If your father still has accidents, make sure that he has a properly fitting diaper and perhaps other protective clothing on to make cleaning up easier.