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joycee1 Asked September 2020

Husband is unplugging his ostomy; Now what?

Today I got my husband dressed and shaved and breakfast and put him on couch to watch his favorite shows. I went back to make beds. When I got back to living room he had unplugged his ostomy and urine was all over him, clothes, and couch. I did have a plastic on couch. He was playing with this for days and I was telling him to put it back in his pants, but this fixation on the ostomy is getting worse. He unhooked his overnight back twice. I had to stay up til I knew he was sleeping and hook back up. Anyone else have this problem? Can't discuss with my daughter you remember us locking horns, I got no apology from her. Nurse comes on Friday from hospice hope she has a suggestion. If any of you have please let me know...I literally am at the end of my rope.

AlvaDeer Sep 2020
I am not certain the level of his dementia. We had constant problems with all this in nursing, whether it was the IVs they were taking apart, dressings, or ostomies. And boy, restraints of any kind were a thing of the past. What I found worked was a very loose abdominal binder, tight enough to close with velcro, but loose enough not to hinder flow. Just the fact this was on seemed to stop them, especially if the velcro closed at side or back. There are abdominal binders on amazon. It is worth a try. I wish you good luck.

Sadikins Sep 2020
From ostomy.org:

Many staff who work in nursing homes put a plastic bag over the pouch so that in case of any leakage, there won’t be a much larger incident. Many persons with Alzheimer’s or other dementias either pick or rip off their pouches. To prevent this from happening, many caregivers dress their loved ones in special clothing that has no openings in the front but still gives the appearance of normal clothing. One source for this type of clothing is Buck and Buck. Their online catalogue features adaptive clothing by gender and condition.

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Peekachu Sep 2020
You might have to get a "dignity jumper". That covers all the things he might want to pick at. Look on the Betty Mills website.

Daughterof1930 Sep 2020
I’m sorry, his care is clearly overwhelming and too much is required for you on your own. I can only hope you’ll be able to find a new plan and place soon

Geaton777 Sep 2020
You may be able to find special clothing to make it hard for him to access it, but not sure it will make it more difficult for you, too.

"Silvert’s carries a vast array of adaptive products designed specifically for elderly needs. The section of clothing for Alzheimer’s sufferers has anti-strip jumpsuits for men and women that resemble a 2-piece outfit or can be worn as onesie’s underneath regular styles."

https://www.silverts.com

GardenArtist Sep 2020
You might contact the surgeon who performed the operation and ask for advice.   I have no experience with this, although I do know people who have.   They never discussed the issue and I never asked them.

You mentioned that a nurse will be visiting on Friday; I wouldn't wait to contact her or the service for which she works.   This is an issue now, and if necessary, the nurse can change her schedule, or another nurse can come.

Or the home care service can contact the surgeon for you to get some advice.  

This must be so frustrating for you; I hope you can get advice soon.

Cece55 Sep 2020
Would it be possible to cover or block direct access to the appliance with an abdominal binder. This is a wide say 10 inches wide belt fastened with Velcro that can be worn under the clothes. You could Velcro it from the back making it hard for him to get his hands directly on the appliance. We go this with confused patients creating an “out of site out of mind” situation

Grandma1954 Sep 2020
This is a problem with any thing that is "attached" and dementia. This goes for feeding tubes, IV's, catheters and insulin devices.
Most Memory Care facilities hesitate to accept a resident that has a device so Skilled Nursing Facility is where most are placed.
While it will be more difficult for you to help dress him you could try a "Union Suit" for underwear. This is a 1 piece that combines long underwear and top in 1 piece. If you live in an area where it is warm I would cut the legs and arms. Another option would be Overalls. Again 1 piece jeans and top connected. You could also try putting snaps on a shirt and pants so he can not get between the two easily.

JoAnn29 Sep 2020
So sorry you are going thru this. I have never been involved with these bags. Hope other members can help.

bevthegreat Sep 2020
ask the nurse if there's a way to tape or lock it tighter.
You might put drawstring pants on him and tie it where he can't get his hands to it as easily.

My 96 yr old Dad has a Cathiter with the tube coming out from his pen is to pee and he is always fooling with it. Probably because it isn't comfortable and with his dementia, he forgets what it is and what it's there for so he's always asking

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