when should caretaker prepare for incontinence in bed?

blues

Hoping for some advice from the more experienced here... I've been reading posts about pads and adult diapers and getting up with a demented spouses at night, and while we're not really there yet (no accidents, he gets up by himself at night), I expect we will get to that point at some point in the future. I would like to avoid *even one* pee accident on our shared queen mattress which would soak up any liquid like a sponge -- I can't imagine ever getting it out. Should I start using incontinence pads now? Or is it generally true that men wet their pants during the daytime before they start to have nighttime problems? Posts on the start of incontinence (at least those I've found) don't actually seem to say how it started. I realize this might sound like a dumb question but I'm guessing that most of us didn't immediately jump to buy all the products we might need upon diagnosis -- we buy them as needed. But when you know you need a pee pad at night, it's probably too late for your mattress.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

gampiano

Hi Blues,

The first thing I did to prepare for "leaking" as the doctor called it, was to buy a waterproof mattress cover . Some people get one that zips, but i like the bamboo ones that are on Amazon, they are light weight, wash easily, and really work. Make the bed with that, a large quilted waterproof pad for his side, then your fitted sheet,and thats a good beginning. You will graduate to layering the bed, which is the only way to go when this takes over.

Good luck, and its good to plan ahead, but not too far ahead, as priorities change along the way.

Best,

Maureen

Carmen M

Before my LO became incontinent, I prepared the bed, recliner, chairs. I have a waterproof mattress cover along with the waterproof pad. I double the sheet but that always soaks thru. I also put those disposable pee pads on the recliner and anywhere else my LO sits.

In the beginning, my LO would leak when walking to the bathroom at night, even when wearing an adult diaper (DEPENDS). I finally purchased a wet vacumn to clean the carpet.

Good idea to buy all your supplies now because the incontinence will only continue and get worse.

Good luck!

MaryACB

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/66545/when-should-caretaker-prepare-for-incontinence-in-bed

Here's my 2 cents for what it's worth concerning urinary incontinence. I started by putting washable waterproof pads on all the surfaces my husband was likely to sit on: couch, kitchen chair, car seat, etc. I even have an emergency bag in the car for when we go out to someplace where he's likely to sit. Because of little grandchildren visiting, I've had waterproof mattress pads and under pads on all the beds since forever. The first time he was incontinent in bed, I immediately put a washable waterproof pad under the sheet on his side of the bed. Then after having to always change the sheet as well as the pad after an accident, I've just started putting a LARGE washable waterproof pad on top of the sheet as well. He's fairly restless at night so I've purchased the largest pads I can find. Thus far this has protected the mattress and cut down on sheet changes.

harshedbuzz

I would put a six-sided zippered waterproof cover on as soon as a person is diagnosed with dementia if I didn't already have one on. You can cover that with a softer quilted mattress pad.

Most descriptions of incontinence say bladder proceeds bowel. Many IADLs and ADLs are lost in a LIFO 9last learned, first lost) manner so I wasn't surprised when dad wet the bed overnight before daytime accidents started.

HB

jfkoc

6 sided waterproof mattress protector NOW. That is the most important. From that point you start layering as needed.

I

fmb

I agree about using a six-sided waterproof mattress protector immediately. DH's urinary incontinence started with dribbling across the carpet all the way to the bathroom, so owning a carpet cleaning machine is also a good idea.

Jgirl57

I agree it is never too early to protect the mattress . I also started with the mattress protector cover and then I put two flat crib pads under his side of the sheet. ( he is not aware that do this)

Jgirl57

I just noticed this was an old post

KathyF1

I use incontinence underwear from Parentgiving. Doesn’t that take care of a problem during nighttime hours? He has had accidents in the briefs but so far no “ leaks”.

ImMaggieMae

Lots of good suggestions here. Here are a few things that work for us. My DH has been incontinent for about 3 years. We have used waterproof mattress covers but I don’t recall having even had a drop of urine get as far the bed sheets. Here’s what we do. My DH wears a good quality pull up with a heavy duty pad inside. At night I poke about 6 or 7 tiny holes in the bottom of the pad before sticking it in the pull-ups. This way, if the pad gets full it leaks into the center of the pull-up instead of around the edges where it can leak. For occasional small leaks, we use a 36x28” puppy type pee pad over a mattress pad that sits on TOP of the bed sheets. This is the mattress pad we use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076X1LF6R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

The pads are soft, washable and comfortable, no plastic that can be felt. They were large enough for his side of our king size bed and now that he can’t climb the stairs anymore they fit perfectly on a hospital bed that he sleeps on. My DH sleeps on his back and doesn’t move much while asleep, so that helps. This lasts throughout the night, generally about 11 or 12 hours these days, although he often gets up at some point toward morning and I change the pull-ups and inner pads, sometimes the smaller pee pad if there are any leaks.

During the day we use pull-ups with a pad inside and can often just change the pad every couple hours. We use a Dekor diaper pail system which sits in the corner behind the toilet. It contains odors and makes the whole changing thing much simpler. I, or a caregiver that I hired for a few hours per week, always go into the bathroom with him so we don’t end up with pads or pull-ups in the toilet. Adult size wet wipes and disposable wash cloths for bigger messes make things easier. We have grab bars installed in the bathroom and shower. He is never alone so we don’t have any accidents in other parts of the house. Once you have all the supplies in place (we order them online in large quantities), incontinence isn’t a big deal. (Except for the cost of all these supplies.) We have a rolling stool that I pull up and sit and talk to him while he is on the toilet. I just chatter away. I don’t know how much he understands but I stay calm so he does too.

It’s a good thing you’re planning ahead. Much less trial and error than scrambling when you suddenly need supplies.