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Onset of bowel and bladder incontinence

Jean loves wildlife
Jean loves wildlife Member Posts: 33
Second Anniversary 10 Comments 5 Care Reactions
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in Caring For a Spouse or Partner

My DH has mild to moderate dementia. Recently he has had a few instances of bladder and bowel incontinence. Not too often so far, fortunately, but I know this will progress. He seems unaware of what is happening, coming out of the bathroom to say "my underwear got wet" and ask for another pair, or sometimes saying it's not too bad, it will dry, or in the case of the bowel incontinence when he does a whole bowel movement in his undershorts, he seems to to be aware, as if he can't even feel it. I would appreciate suggestions from others who are dealing with this. Thank you.

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  • Jeanne C.
    Jeanne C. Member Posts: 841
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    Hi, if it's a sudden change, I would check for a UTI.

    More likely, it's progression. Sorry. If you haven't already, it's time to switch him to incontinence briefs. You're also going to want to do the bed - a good mattress protector, underpads, etc. I do a couple of layers incase the bed gets wet at night, so I can just remove a layer and let him get back to sleep.

    You can reduce instances of incontinence by prompting him to use the bathroom every couple of hours.

    Honestly, this is my biggest caregiving challenge. But I get through it, just like we all do with everything else. Hang in there.

  • ​fesk
    ​fesk Member Posts: 479
    Legacy Membership 100 Comments 25 Care Reactions 25 Insightfuls Reactions
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    Any new medications it could be a side effect of? I agree to check for UTI or other medical issues. Rule those out. For the bowel incontinence, check to see if it's related to any consistent food/drink.

  • terei
    terei Member Posts: 590
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments 100 Insightfuls Reactions 100 Likes
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    Replace all his underwear with disposables + have him checked for medical issues, but I fear it is just the progression of the disease

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 1,040
    500 Care Reactions 250 Insightfuls Reactions 250 Likes 500 Comments
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    There is also a search function for this forum if you want to find other posts about incontinence. Look at the top right of the page. Also the book “The 36 Hour Day” helped me after my husbands diagnosis.

  • charley0419
    charley0419 Member Posts: 386
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/220292#Comment_220292

    I agree my biggest concern moving forward

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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