Mom left bathroom sink running

Smyles7720

Hello Everyone, 

It’s been a long time since my last post. Things were going well, but nothing stays the same with this disease.

Mom is mobile and is able to go the bathroom on her own. I noticed several months ago Mom leaving the bathroom sinking running. Then Mom started to leave the bathroom sinking running with her washcloth in the sink. (Mom washes her washcloth several times a day). All of this rarely happened so, I did not take it serious as I live with my mother and caught this behavior the few times it happened. ( I now realize  my mistake). This morning I found the bathroom floor by the sink soaking wet. Obviously, Mom left the water running with the washcloth in the sink. The washcloth blocked the drain and the water ran over. The rest of the bathroom floor was dry. Mom was in her bedroom drying her hands with the washcloth before going back  into the bed. (This happened very early this morning).

How do I prevent this from happening again?

harshedbuzz

Smyles-

If this is ongoing it means that your mom is no longer independent in this ADL (going to the bathroom), which means someone needs to be there to make sure the water is turned off after she washes her hand. It's also likely a harbinger of other steps in the process being lost soon- flushing, used tp on the counter top, etc.

Another option would be to turn off the water at the sink but then she wouldn't be washing up which is not ideal. Or you could remove the wash cloths/hand towels but she'd likely still leave the water running.

HB

toolbeltexpert

Someone needs to make a drain screen that's tall and shaped like a cone 5 inches so it would extend above the top of the sink. That's my brain always trying to child proof things. My dw did this with the kitchen sink I caught it before it went over. Sorry your have to deal with this. I am sure someone else will have  a good piece of advice. We are all in this together.

jfkoc

It happened here 2 times. Remove the stopper.

terei

There are sinks that have an overflow drain to prevent this, but you’d have to replace the sink.

There might be some type of faucet that you have to hold open for it to work

M1

how about turning off the water in the sink and giving her wet wipes to wash her hands?  Of course you have to be sure those don't go in the toilet.  Agree in general that this means she needs supervision, unfortunately.

JJAz

Water alert sensor?  There are wireless sensors on amazon.  Double sided tape on the counter top?

Iris L.

Supervision.  None of those above are foolproof.

Iris

Tfreedz

Drastic, but you could replace the faucet with a push faucet like in public restrooms. Stop the water after a few seconds....

ButterflyWings

Hi - I agree with those saying it is time for supervision in the bathroom. If she is forgetting to turn off the water, even with the sound of it running, it is possible (likely) she's forgetting other things like wiping properly, etc. That can quickly become a health hazard for your LO. Rashes and infections are even more challenging to deal with than indoor flooding.

Removing the stopper wouldn't have helped in our house...just another drain to clog with paper towels, cough drop wrappers, banana peels, or even possibly the washcloth if DH tried to use one (I disappeared all but 1 large towel from the bathroom, and have to bring the toilet paper and adult wipes each time. DH was using up the whole roll in 1 sitting, and clogging the toilet). 

I feel for you. We had a couple (that I know of) of serious faucet overflow issues around stage 5, requiring flooring repair and replacement. Then recurring UTIs and a need to assist with hygiene so there are multiple reasons to treat this "heads up" you are getting, as the progression is seems to be signaling. Sorry - I know that is not ever what we want to hear. Hang in there.

Smyles7720

Thank you everyone for your advise and encouragement.

Good news.......

The plumber came over to show me different faucets and it turns out the leak was due to a cracked pipe under the sink and not Mom running the water.