Alzheimer stages & catheter

PLWright

I know each case is different, there is no set rules but I just don't know what to think about my mothers stage. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in Feb 2021.

 In January 2020 she lived alone, drove herself a few miles to the store once or twice a week. Today, 18 months later, she is living with me, unable to care for herself. She has basically lost the last 25 years, she lived in a condo for the last 23 years but has absolutely no memory of it now. She knows me, her only child, my 2 daughters, and her great grandchildren although she sometimes struggle with their names. She cannot shower or bathe herself. She can walk, with a cane, she can go to the bathroom by herself even during the night she makes several trips to the bathroom. I put her in depends awhile ago but yet every morning she has urinated in her small trash can and uses a bunch of tissue on top of it and also puts a small towel on the edge of her mattress to hide or cover a wet spot and has changed her pajama pants at least once, usually more, she can go through 3-4 pairs of pajama pants a night as well as several towels. From what I read I think she is the stage before the final stage. I am determined not to put her in a facility. I haven't asked her doctor yet, but is it possible to have a catheter placed in her? It would really help caring for her, not having to do laundry every day, keep her cleaner, etc. I am no spring chicken myself, I am 65 years old, my mother is 90 and I am still working full time (from home). If she has declined so quickly in the last 18 months, will the disease continue to progress that quickly? I just don't know what to expect.

dayn2nite2

What’s behind your resistance to placing her.

A catheter will provide entry of all manner of bacteria into her system, and greatly increase her chances of sepsis.  

star26

If you search on this forum for “PureWick” you will find a number of posts about this female EXTERNAL catheter system. Here’s one (See 3rd post down by Jo): https://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=posts&t=2147556163

An internal catheter is placed for medical reasons and carries its own risks and discomforts and would therefore not be appropriate for strictly convenience reasons, as far as I know. 

There are a bunch of tips here about dealing with incontinence and reducing the need for daily laundry. For instance, many people use a layering system on the bed using disposable and washable protection pads. At night, some people add a Poise pad inside the Depends to prevent leakage. Some PWD need to wear an adult onesie to prevent them from removing the Depends in the night. Regular (every couple hours) and supervised bathroom trips during the day can help too. It’s still a challenge but I bet there is room for improvement in your Mom’s situation. Welcome to the forum. Others will respond with tips. 

PLWright

I do not want to place her because I have been in too many places that abuse and shame the Alzheimers patients. I do not want my mother shamed or abused. I will not take that risk.

RanchersWife

If you’re using the actual brand Depends you will want to get a better brand. Depends seen to be for leaks. There are much more absorbent and high volume brands out there. I like Abena combined with a super poise pad.