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Dealing with BM Clean up!

JC5
JC5 Member Posts: 205
Third Anniversary 100 Comments 100 Care Reactions 25 Likes
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in Caring For a Spouse or Partner

Being straightforward and honest here so …DH had a BM accident. After he took his clothes off and sat on his bed with his dirty bum he did get in the shower. Went in to get his clothes and bedspread to wash and almost got sick from the awful smell! I had to leave his room. I felt bad for asking him to bring the stuff down to the washing machine, but I just couldn’t do it. How does everyone handle this?

Comments

  • harshedbuzz
    harshedbuzz Member Posts: 5,731
    Eighth Anniversary 1,500 Likes 5000 Comments 1,000 Insightfuls Reactions
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    @JC5

    I am so sorry. This is a dealbreaker for many loving caregivers.

    Cheap foam shaving cream from the dollar store can help mask the odor and make cleanup a bit less onerous. Stink balm can also help.

    https://stinkbalmodorblocker.com/

    Odoban is great for cleaning things like fabrics and flooring.

    https://www.odoban.com/

    HB

  • Chammer
    Chammer Member Posts: 204
    Ninth Anniversary 100 Comments 25 Insightfuls Reactions 25 Care Reactions
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    Many health care professionals use a face mask w fragrance/odor killer sprayed inside. The odor ban product should work for that and the mask will mostly cover your face which could be showing great displeasure at the offensive smell.

  • tonyac2
    tonyac2 Member Posts: 89
    100 Care Reactions 25 Insightfuls Reactions 25 Likes 10 Comments
    Member

    This is an awful task, cleaning up after a BM. I’ve been doing this for quite awhile as my husband is immobile and in a lift while using the bedside commode. I like Thieves Spray. It’s a little spendy, but does an excellent job of eliminating foul odors. On the laundry end of it, I put a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda in with the detergent pod. This combo takes out the odors.

  • Chance Rider
    Chance Rider Member Posts: 85
    25 Care Reactions 25 Likes 10 Comments 5 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    JC5, thank you for bringing this up. We’re not “there” yet but I want to be prepared if/when the time comes. One thing I simply cannot stand is the smell of skunk. Living in the country we frequently experience the strong odor of a nearby skunk. Weird maybe but Vick’s VapoRub dabbed under my nose is very effective.

  • Cat K
    Cat K Member Posts: 46
    25 Likes 10 Comments 25 Care Reactions First Anniversary
    Member

    The fecal incontinence will be the thing that breaks me in two. Yesterday DH had very loose stools. Several times I had to change and clean him. The breaking point was when he had it all over himself, down his leg and into his bedroom shoe. Cleaning him up and getting him into the shower—he balked and resisted and said he didn't need a shower—was the worst thing I've gone through so far. My mantra used to be "as long as he knows who I am I can handle anything." That no longer applies. Every day I hate to get out of bed and face the day, not knowing what horrible experience I'll have. I take care of two dogs, five cats, and DH with mixed dementia, who is probably stage 6, and I don't know how much longer I can bare it. No support system other than palliative care. How do we do this day after day after day?

  • JC5
    JC5 Member Posts: 205
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments 100 Care Reactions 25 Likes
    Member

    oh boy thank you all for your responses! Wasn’t sure if I should post this, but I was so overwhelmed and hoped this board would help. You came through as usual and the some! Thank you 😘

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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