Incontinence Odor

dcrowex

I moved my best friend into a lovely nursing home over the weekend. She does wear diapers (usually 2) but still manages to get wet through them. She has wet her bed and clothes, chair, etc. After only a few days there, her room reeks of urine. I am changing her sheets, airing her mattress out, collecting the wet items and turning on fan to circulate air. I have a plug in deoderizer as well. How in the world do I manage this odor? Yes, they clean her room, do laundry, etc, but her room could be cleaned and an hour later, she may have an accident. I am just trying to figure out how to control this odor. If she were of more sound mind, she would be mortified if she knew this. This girl has been my best friend for over 40 years and I am doing all I can to help care for her. I cannot find a product to "plug in" to address this odor as the one I have is not doing the job. Any suggestions appreciated. (I am not looking for a cleaning product, they are already doing that there, its the lingering odor). Thank you.

harshedbuzz

You probably aren't going to get the smell of the urine out of the bed or chair at this point. There are spray on products like Clorox Urine Remover and Nature's Miracle but you may be past that point.

You might need a new mattress encased in a six-sided zippered waterproof protector. Any chair in her room needs to have a waterproof fabric or a washable waterproof protector like the ones sold for pets. When she has an accident, she needs to be changed and cleaned and all her things washed.

You need to look into what and how incontinence products are being used. Diaper-doubling is pointless if the inner one has a plastic waterproof liner. There are better options than depends available online. Northshore and Parengiving are 2 companies that are well regarded for their options and customer service. They offer sample packs you can order to try to find something that works for you.

HB

dcrowex

Thanks. The mattress and room are being cleaned and I am putting a waterproof liner on the bed. But when you open the door to come in, the smell is strong urine. So trying to clear that smell in the air. Ill check the diaper options you mentioned, thanks.

JJ401

If your friend is in a nursing home, and you find her lying on wet sheets daily, I’d say there is a nursing home problem. A strong urine odor, to me, is a sign that they are not checking her frequently enough. I’d ask for them to review her care plan and check her more often.

dcrowex

Thanks for the tip. Usually when I go see her, she is up in her chair watching TV so she can get around including get to bathroom. I have been talking to them about this as you mentioned. Thank you.

jfkoc

You are a great friend to continue to go the extra mile.

I am wondering why your friend is in a nursing home and not a facility for memory care since she has dementia. In either case all mattresses surely would have 6 sided water proof mattress pads and furniture would be waterproof unless, of course, these things came from home for her room.

You can look at Fresh Wave....available from Amazon if not locally.

How does the rest of the facility smell? Did her home have a strong odor? A strong scent in her room might indicate a problem.

harshedbuzz

Are you the friend's POA?

If you aren't, you may not be able to get the SNF work with you on this and may need to inform whoever fills that role for her and let them go to bat around this issue.

HB