How do I deal with my husband's difficult behavior around his incontinence?
This must be so upsetting and exhausting for you. It certainly sounds as if you have done everything possible to make dealing with the incontinent issue as practical and simple as possible. While some medical-supply companies are now making 'male' incontinent briefs with a fly in the front to help eliminate the need to pull down the pants, I would strongly suggest adding the 'extra padding' to the bed and not to his diaper. The best way to do this is similar to how beds are prepared in hospitals and nursing homes with a 'draw sheet' layered over the fitted bottom sheet which has a waterproof mattress pad. Begin by folding a rubber sheet in half lengthwise and doing the same with a twin sheet. With the twin sheet on top of the rubber one, lay both perpendicular across the mid-section of the fitted bottom sheet. Tuck in the edges securely. If the bed is wet, simply remove and replace the top draw sheet. Although this initially may seem complicated, it is an easy procedure that will ultimately save you time and frustration while helping your husband (and you) get a better night's sleep. You may want to have a visiting nurse stop by your home and demonstrate how to arrange the draw sheet and how to quickly change it. Do take care of YOU! While some medical-supply companies are now making 'male' incontinent briefs with a fly in the front to help eliminate the need to pull down the pants, I would strongly suggest adding the 'extra padding' to the bed and not to his diaper. The best way to do this is similar to how beds are prepared in hospitals and nursing homes with a 'draw sheet' layered over the fitted bottom sheet which has a waterproof mattress pad. Begin by folding a rubber sheet in half lengthwise and doing the same with a twin sheet. With the twin sheet on top of the rubber one, lay both perpendicular across the mid-section of the fitted bottom sheet. Tuck in the edges securely. If the bed is wet, simply remove and replace the top draw sheet. Although this initially may seem complicated, it is an easy procedure that will ultimately save you time and frustration while helping your husband (and you) get a better night's sleep. You may want to have a visiting nurse stop by your home and demonstrate how to arrange the draw sheet and how to quickly change it. Do take care of YOU!
Thank you for your reply. I do have the bed protected so that usually I have only to change the top pad. I use commercial products and although these are kind of expensive, they get the job done. Often his pajamas do not feel wet but they smell as if they have been wet. I did try another tack. I told him that I knew he had been using the toilet and asked him if he would sit down on it rather than standing and explained why I was asking. He seemed to understand what I was saying but that doesn't mean that the thought will hang around. Another ploy has been to use several layers of thinner blankets rather than the down comforter he had been using. This controls the amount of laundry at risk to levels that will fit into my washing machine.
