I'm caregiver for my elderly sister with Alzheimer's. After having a bowel movement on the toilet she still poops during her shower. What can I do?

Yes, I agree. It's important to see the lighter side of what would normally be some pretty dark moments. I too am a mother and Grandmother. I've seen my share of pee, poop, and vomit, which normally do not faze me. Been there, done that. Regardless, I think watching my sister having bowel movements in the shower was a shocker to me. I don't know why, they just were. I think that deep down, I really believed that with my love and care, I could at the very least, halt my sisters Alzheimer's progression in it's tracks. And I couldn't, no matter how hard I tried, no matter all the specialists I took her to. I'm mad. Not at my sister, but at this very ugly disease. Alzheimer's respects no one.

I think the incontinence is a tough one to deal with at first. After a while, poop just becomes routine ;-) That is why cwillie could snicker. I have five kids, eight grandchildren and have taught for 30 years so pee, poop, vomit is old school for me. My sister had a very difficult time with it. Our mom pooped in her car twice...I have no idea why she didn't put a towel or pass on the seat....Mom wiped poop down the walls in the hallway...peed and pooped on the floor, shower, outside, couch, car, etc. My poor sister would freak out! Back then my sister took her one day a week... Once the incontinence kicked in, she quit taking her at all. Bleach, peroxide, and pinesol are my best friends....along with lots of Clorox wipes ;-) Sometimes we just have to laugh about it all...or we will go crazy!

Thankyou cwillie, yes I too have had my sister go in my hands as I'm cleaning her bottom. I think I was  perplexed that after sitting on the toilet for what seems like forever, and going and going, that she could still then have a bowel movement in the shower.  I searched and searched online for advice or tips, but everyone who was posting seemed to talk about their loved ones going to the bathroom in their bed or on the floor, etc. I was starting to wonder if I was the only one experiencing these episodes in the shower. I suspect my sisters Alzheimer's is getting worse, but I will continue to love her through it. Atleast now I know other people have had the same experience with shower giving so I don't feel so alone in this situation. 

Sorry I offended.
I know the horrors of poop problems all too well, I've had mom go on the floor when I took her pants down, often in my hands as I wiped her bum and of course I've had to deal with both of us covered from head to toe (literally) when she had episodes of diarrhea, forgive me if I feel that poop in the shower was the easiest to deal with (and yes, she routinely went then too). Call me cold, but the snicker was more at your apparent horror having to use the same shower than the real misery caused by the problem. I do hope you find a solution, perhaps timing is everything and planning her showers at a different part of the day will help. Also,  if her movements are too loose supplements like metamucil can help with that.

Thank you for your suggestions Grammy teacher, sunnygirl1 and hugemom. My sister sits on the toilet for a good 20 minutes before her shower. She does have a bedside commode so I will try replacing her shower chair with that and putting the catch all on shower floor while giving her a sponge bath. As for cwillie's reply, I'm glad you find my situation and question worthy of snickering over. Shame on you. I thought this forum was for reaching out, looking for help and or helping others with compassion, not making fun of them. It's not funny when my sister is sitting in the shower screaming about the poo that is getting all over her feet. It's traumatic for her as well.

Honestly? When I read the title of your question I though "we'll at least she's going in the shower where it is easy to clean up". Sorry you're grossed out, but those of us who have had to deal with poop dysfunction can't help but snicker a little. You can't train her like you would a toddler because that part of her brain is broken, as Sunny suggested she likely has no awareness that she needs to go. I would suggest leaving her on the toilet longer, at least 10 minutes. As for the shower, just brush it down with a little bleach based toilet cleaner and keep a clean shower mat for you own use.

I have seen shower benches that have a hole with a slide- in pot under it. Maybe you could have her sit during her shower. Or have her sit on the toilet just a bit longer.

That's right. I'd just try to figure out a way to keep her covered to catch it. My LO, who's incontinent, has no idea when she's going at all. Your sister may be headed in that direction. 

You could switch to sponge baths and keep a brief on her until time to wash that area. I used to give my mom sponge baths on the bedside commode with the bucket off, sitting on the floor under her. That way it could catch anything while still giving me access to down under.

When they become incontinent, they have no control any longer. My mom basically goes a little all day long. It can be a challenge. Sorry you are dealing with this.