My mother is 82 and has dementia. She is now bowel incontinent. How can I prepare her to travel by air?

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gabye18 Asked July 2022

My mother is 82 and has dementia. She is now bowel incontinent. How can I prepare her to travel by air?

I will be taking my mom to Mexico for cheaper care in a retirement home since it’s so much affordable over there than it is in the US. At the place she’s at now they are overworked and overwhelmed and they don’t give her the care and attention she needs. My dad also got sick this year and both are at the same rehab facility. My brothers will be taking my dad on a different occasion to Mexico, but I’m in charge of taking my mom. I know an accident will happen on the plane but have no idea how we could
clean up? Obviously she wears depends but those don't work very well with bowel incontinence. They leak. Plus there is the factor of her fellow
passengers. Anyway to make this work? Are there any medications that would help?

Alzheimer's & Dementia Incontinence Moving Skilled Nursing Facility

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score 1 · Answer 1

I was thinking that maybe you should clean her out a few days before the trip. Like said no food or drink before the flight.

Still, I would not want to be the passenger that has to sit near her if she has a accident.

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score 3 · Answer 2

Ok, it's called a Peristeen Plug, (that CWillie is referring to) read all about them here on Google:

https://www.google.com/search?q=peristeen+plug&sxsrf=ALiCzsZURqaSCxr_s2jYZ6O30Etb49ErWg%3A1658878811413&ei=W3vgYuXgGOWG0PEP_OmD6Ak&ved=0ahUKEwil-p2S3Zf5AhVlAzQIHfz0AJ0Q4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=peristeen+plug&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBQgAEJECMgUIABCABDIGCAAQHhAWMgUIABCGAzIFCAAQhgMyBQgAEIYDOgQIIxAnOgQIABBDOggILhCxAxCDAToLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwE6EQguEIAEELEDEIMBEMcBENEDOhQILhCABBCxAxCDARDHARDRAxDUAjoHCAAQyQMQQzoLCC4QsQMQgwEQ1AI6CAgAEIAEELEDOggIABCxAxCRAjoHCAAQsQMQQzoKCAAQsQMQgwEQQzoRCC4QgAQQsQMQgwEQxwEQrwE6BQguEIAEOgcIABCABBAKOggILhCABBDUAjoKCAAQgAQQhwIQFEoECEEYAEoECEYYAFAAWPIYYOw6aABwAXgAgAGmAYgBxg2SAQQyLjEymAEAoAEBwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz

It's good for up to 12 hours.

How do you use Peristeen plugs?

The anal plug is inserted just like a suppository. The foam has been compressed to a small size and coated with a water-soluble film. When the film is exposed to the warmth and moisture of the rectum, it dissolves – the plug then expands, conforming to the shape of the rectal cavity.

I have no idea how you'd get it OUT of her! :(

Also, do NOT Google 'anal plug' or all the sex toys pop up. :)

My question is.......if she's immobile, how are you getting her in/out of the airplane seat? Dead weight is VERY hard to lift!

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I thought the video was very good at explaining how they work - they describe inserting it as similar to inserting a suppository but I was thinking it looks similar to using a tampon (the kind without an applicator). I think this would be something you would want to ask a health care professional about rather than just ordering something online.

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score 0 · Answer 3

Thank you! I was looking for something like this!

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score 1 · Answer 4

Don t feed her before she goes or schedule the flight around her bowel movements if she goes consistently at a certain time of the day or night. What about sedating her like they do animals for car rides? They can't poop if they are sleeping.

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score 2 · Answer 5

I would not attempt this. I just flew economy and I felt like a sardine because I had to sit between people. I could not get comfortable, no leg room. You would have a hard time changing her in the bathroom. I would not want to be the passengers that are around her if she has an accident. Its at least a 3 hr flight and that is with no layovers.

"Leaving the US you have passport check and security. Entering Mexico you have immigration and customs. Leaving Mexico you have a passport check and go through security."

Do you really think Mom can go thru all this. They do not do well out of their comfort zone. It has been suggested on this site to rent a camper. Just big enough to have a toilet, maybe a bed and someplace comfortable for Mom to sit.

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score 1 · Answer 6

There are anal plugs that should do the job, sorry I can't find an American site but like this

https://products.coloplast.ca/coloplast/continence-care/peristeen/peristeen-anal-plug/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qv0Tm0NAKU

Helpful Answer (1)

That sounds dangerous. It's not like a dam where you can just plug a leak. That poops got to go somewhere.

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score 3 · Answer 7

gabye18, on another matter, what health insurance care will your parents receive? Why I ask is that Medicare doesn't not cover the person when my moved outside of the country.

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This is true. Supplimentals are usually only good for the State they are written in. Medicaid will not travel with her if she is on it.

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score 2 · Answer 8

You can speak to her doctor about constipating medications like Immodium I suppose. Or you can hire a flight nurse to take her and deal with all the medical issues that will ensue.

https://www.flyingangels.com/can-i-hire-a-nurse-to-fly-with-me/

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My mother is 82 and has dementia. She is now bowel incontinent. How can I prepare her to travel by air?

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