Incontinence

Nathalie

Hi! My mother is 85 with Alzheimer’s living at home with my Dad. She gets frequent urine and bowel incontinence. Any thoughts or tips on how this can be improved? Thank you in advance.

Quilting brings calm

Please research the side affects of her medications. If it’s being caused by her medications, then a change in the dosage or eliminating the medication will help. If the cause is progression of her dementia, it is what it is. The only thing you can do then is use the appropriate adult diaper product and then also get pads for the bed at night.

ButterflyWings

QBC is right, and at some point regardless of meds, it will be age and dementia progression that make this a fact. Stage 6 and 7 are definitely expected to bring incontinence.

Home health aides, or respite CNAs, etc. can help with bathing. I can highly recommend calling a local hospice for them to evaluate her for services. This does not rush her end of life and does not mean she will even qualify for hospice care but it brings additional hygiene supplies, meds, equipment as needed, visiting nurse to monitor her vitals and overall condition, CNA for help with bathing, changing her linens, etc.

If she qualifies, the team will be such a help to your dad. My DH has been on in-home hospice for >2 years. He has constant ups and downs, but mainly trending down so he continues to qualify at every reassessment. It is a huge help or I'd be frankly overwhelmed (even more) by now. Some people assume hospice means 6 months to live, but it is different for dementia. If your Dad is also in his mid-80s, he could really use this help. Would he consider it?

CatsWithHandsAreTrouble

I second getting mattress covers/pads for the incontinence . Those along with the proper incontinence underwear makes it a bit more manageable. Also try getting her on a bathroom schedule could help prevent accidents. About half an hour after eating and also every two hours get her on the toilet and then adjust your times from there once you get a better understanding of her bowels and bladder habits.

We also have pads on the placed my mom sits on just in case and those protect her furniture that she worked so hard for.