Posted By: Sonja
I remember working in a nursing home before the advent of the disposable briefs. I’m really dating myself here, but I know some of you out there know what I’m talking about. There were not only no briefs, but no wipes. I’ll leave the details to your imagination, but suffice it to say, things are much improved now!
In my reading and classes there has been much discussion on how to keep the Alzheimer’s sufferer from becoming incontinent. Sometimes this is possible and sometimes it isn’t. Let me just say that you shouldn’t feel guilty or incompetent if your loved one is incontinent. Keep in mind, everyone loses different things differently and at different times.
In the professional world of memory care it’s all about scheduling. This works for the private caregiver as well and takes a little discipline. We began the day pouring liquids in and two hours later everyone goes to the bathroom. Coffee and juice for breakfast and two hours later you take them to the bathroom. This is a bit like potty training a child. The question becomes, who is trained, you or them? Who cares? Use what works! This method is all well and good until incontinence rears it’s ugly head and this method seems to do no good. It is important that the trip to the bathroom happens anyway. Wearing a wet brief is no better for an adult bottom than it is for a baby bottom. Sores are sure to follow! If, despite all your best efforts you see sores or red spots beginning get some barrier cream immediately! Cream geared towards babies will work, but there are also several brands on the market for adults.
Recently I had a client that whenever I cared for him he was incontinent of both bowel and bladder. The bladder incontinence was the result of damage due to prostate surgery, but he was not incontinent of bowel with his regular caregiver. What I came to find out was, she had realized that he no longer recognizes the urge to move his bowels nor does he remembers while on the toilet to try and move his bowels. Every morning upon rising, she puts him on the toilet and instructs him to make an attempt. It is usually successful and most often he has no problems the rest of the day. It should have occurred to me that those urges can be “forgotten” just like everything else. It also would have been nice if this revelation had been in the documentation so I would have known the trick. If you find things that work, write them down for the other caregivers!
The day will come, I’m fairly certain, when he will no longer remember how to move his bowels at will and then we will be right back in the same boat, but for now, this has been a simple solution to the problem.
This isn’t a problem that people like to discuss and no one wants to think about, but it is key in Alzheimer’s care. Pressure sores are a big problem, as are urinary infections and constipation. They are all key to the good health of your Alzheimer’s sufferer and your comfort and sanity as well. Avoiding the elephant in the room isn’t going to make it go away, or smell any better for that matter!
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