My father in law will be moving in for a couple months, he had a stroke, fortunately he has most of his facalities, howerver, he is partialy paralyzed on his left side. I found out he also has moderate incotinence. Apparently he can make it to the bathroom most of the time.
What do I need to prepare for his visit? for the bed room, for the bathroom, to take care of his down there skin when he wears an absorbant product, to help him go to the toilet?
I like your outlook on being prepared! :D
I did some poking on the site and found some information for you here: Incontinence
Best of luck and let us know how your visit goes!
My husband has fairly severe urinary "urgency" and the night-times are toughest. We've found it helpful to use a rail attached to the bed (AmFab bedside valet) so that he can easily and quickly get up; we also have a urinal next to the bed that he is able to use if needed. These things have really helped him to feel independent and that he's kept his dignity. Have a wonderful visit and good luck.
Actually you have several choices. You can hire help, ie: an LPN, or somes other in home care giver, or you can have him put in a assisted living home. I am in the same boat here except the one in diapers is myself. I can take care of myself for the mose part but my wife does when I can't. My right side is effected by a stroke as well as eye problems, numbness, memory, and incontinenct. If you have not yot called Social Security for help please do so. They are slow and you may need a lawyer but for the most part they will be a big help.
1) make sure there's something sturdy he can hold onto for balance and assistance in getting up near his bed and near the toilet. If possible also have grab bars along any walls between his bedroom and the bathroom. We've put insulation on the heating pipes running up to the second floor on my father's side of the bed so that he can hold onto them to help get in and out of bed for instance. There's a grab bar by the toilet. 2) Get protective pads for the bed. I buy crib protectors, cut them in half and sew a long piece of light-weight fabric onto one edge. The pad is put on top of the bottom sheet, with the light-weight fabric tucked under the mattress holding the pad in place. This means that accidents are easily dealt with even in the middle of the night by just changing the pad, which are washable. No need to change the entire bed linens. 3) a urinal by the bed is critical as indicated by another response. 4) consider having a urinal available when he's not in bed. Not the most attractive site, but it can help prevent accidents and foster a sense of independence if he can take care of his own toileting needs even if he can't make it to the bathroom quickly. It was a real milestone when my father decided to his daytime urinal was not longer necessary. He knew that he was making progress. 5) Get a bottle of Fabreez, or something similar so that the bedroom and house don't smell like there's an invalid in the house. Your father's sense of smell may have been negatively impacted by the stroke and he may not care, but you and the rest of the family might.
good luck. It does get better.
Hi there,
I'm posting to let you know that Caring.com ask several helpful articles about adult diapering found here. I haven't yet had to deal with this, but my advice to you would be to handle the situation providing your dad as much dignity as possible. I'll bet, on some level, he's as uncomfortable as you. I'm really hopeful the two of you can become a good team in this while still getting the job done.
Thanks to those who have posted their personal experiences and advice. I love that about our community. :-)
We've used mail-order to supply diapers cheaper than retail. We've found the phone reps to be very helpful in deciding which product would work best in each situation. Often, they can supply a 'sample kit' so you can test-drive the pads or briefs or diapers to get the right size, right absorbancy, or best for particular mobility or dexterity.
We found that using a larger diaper with underwear over the top helped when we had to rush to the toilet (no time to fiddle with fasteners or tapes, just pull down quick) or had trouble using the tape tabs (hand paralysis resolving). We also resorted to adding extra padding (old towels, actually) in the diaper for really 'soaking' times. We just washed them afterwards.
Some people have told me they've purchased baby diapers and used them inside their underwear. Anything relatively cheap for extra padding. And they are very good at wicking away from the skin.
Re: Changing dad's diaper
First call it disposable pants to maintain dad's dignity. Next wear gloves like the kind sold in drugstores for medical use. This keeps you and dad from infecting each other and makes the work impersonal and work quickly but carefully. No lingering. There are special products sold for perineum care ask at a medical supply store- loosens residue of urine or stool and deodorizes. This makes the cleaning easier on both of you. Dad will be grateful for the assistance while you will be respecting dad's dignity and learning while appreciating what it is like to lose independence and grow old.
Re: Changing dad's diaper
First call it disposable pants to maintain dad's dignity. Next wear gloves like the kind sold in drugstores for medical use. This keeps you and dad from infecting each other and makes the work impersonal and work quickly but carefully. No lingering. There are special products sold for perineum care ask at a medical supply store- loosens residue of urine or stool and deodorizes. This makes the cleaning easier on both of you. Dad will be grateful for the assistance while you will be respecting dad's dignity and learning while appreciating what it is like to lose independence and grow old.
Keeping a log of time by using classic composition notebook and record time diaper changed or of urgency may provide a pattern of urination. Then you know timing to prepare for.
I work for a mass distributor of medical supplies to convalescent/nursing homes. Many of the patients go home during holidays or are discharged for 'x' reason. I've found that many of them have called us to keep supplying them with the same brand of adult briefs, wet-wipes and have purchased bedside commodes along with shower chairs. I personally feel that the shower chair is highly popular because it offers the patient to bathe themselves and have some of the independence of doing something for themselves. The adult wipes have also aided as an alternate bathing tool. They contain aloe.
here's a link to the adult diapers sold by the case. It's our most popular, but there are other options of course: http://www.twinmeddirect.com/simplicity-plus-3d-adult-briefs-m-l-xl.html
agree with all the above. my father has easily adjusted to his "JIC" (just-in-case) pants just fine. He doesn't like to feel wet either so he'll mention something or do what he has to in the middle of the night. It's a blessing. I put his feet into them (as they fit more snugly than the avg protective underwear) and he pulls them up. it goes more quickly and he has a sense of control when he at least has to pull them up. I also listen to his cues as to when he has an urge to go to the bathroom, and try to figure out if he needs to sit or stand. and yes, I am no stranger to the gloves, nor to disposable wet wipes. I let him do as much as he can and then do the rest without judgement or irritation. He now is able to handle much of his own personal caretaking so the load is light now.
