Should mom be put on a toileting schedule at her memory care facility?

No, a schedule will not work! My mom had chronic diarrhea as long as I can remember. When it comes, it comes, a schedule would not help at all. Sometimes she would be back on the toilet a few minutes after she had just left it.

NO!

What did help my mom was starting her on a probiotic. Check with her doc to see if that would be appropriate. But he warned, if mom has had chronic D for a long time, she may not know how to have a regular BM that could cause blockage.

Firstof5: Perhaps she should visit her gastroenterologist since she's had diarrhea for years. You could install a bidet.

No most people can not go on command. But a frequent cleaning schedule would be good.

My husband also had the diarrhea for years. He is 87. We finally found the solution. He takes Colestyramin (prescription)twice a day. It gets desolved in a little water or juice. You have to watch her medicin schedule it has to be given either one hour before or 4 hours after other meds. It takes a little scheduling in the beginning.
We also installed a bidet seat on our toilettes and with the remote control he can wash and dry himself. All is well, sadly we did not know this sooner.

I think it is a very reasonable request. I had my mom on a bathroom schedule.

First thing upon waking in the morning
9am
After lunch
2pm
After dinner
Before getting in bed

This worked perfect for my mom. We found most bowel movements were at night then any other time. Occasionally first thing in the morning.

My Mom had this problem. We had a call button on her wrist to call people for help, but she didn't use it. I sent her to a Urogynecologist and she put her on budsonide and it stopped the diarrhea.

AlvaDeer has a good point. I believe schedules are usually for urination, which occurs throughout the day. Bowel movements are unpredictable and occur less frequently. Most people would have difficulty in waiting 2 hr for a bowel movement or having one on the toilet if there were no urge. I'm not doing a very good job of saying this (!), but I think we're dealing with different kinds of physiological situations, and that you are probably not going to have much luck dealing with the problem by scheduling.

I agree with the others that an evaluation by a gastroenterologist is called for, I'm assuming the facility is restricting dairy because they suspect lactose intolerance? Lactose intolerance can develop later in life, but if your mother has been having diarrhea for years, that seems unlikely, but no harm trying!







lactose intolerance?

Please maker her an appointment with a Gastroenterologist (there are prescribed medications to eliminate the problem). Perhaps get one of those bidet attachments to help her complete the cleanup. Or, see about having a real bidet installed (with facility approval).

https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/best-bidets

You say they are resisting putting her on a schedule.
Is this because they do not want to "have to" bring her to the toilet every 2 hours? Due to a variety of reasons..like short staffed, others may need help at the time to bring mom to the bathroom, and any number of reasons they can think of.
If mom is able to get to the toilet herself when she needs to and just has problems cleaning herself have you thought about the use of a bidet? Would she/could she use it and understand how and why it is used?

You would think that if they are complaining about cleaning up you would think they would want her on a schedule to avoid the clean up. No brainer to me!

And a side comment...I would probably want the carpet out of the apartment and replaced with an easily washable laminate flooring. It surprises me that there is carpet. For walkers, wheelchairs and even people that have a problem with their gait carpeting can be problematic.

SNF may be a more suitable place for your mom. Also a visit to her physician for review of her medication. In SNF there will be a dietician/nutritionist who will assess and make changes in her diet as needed. There are medications that will control her bowel action and in addition dietary recommendations are sure to help. At a SNF facility the staff will assist her with all her personal needs including toileting and personal hygiene. I hope these suggestions help you ease some of your problem.

MC is a step up from AL in terms of providing for the specialized memory needs of patients. In today's post covid world... I'm not sure how many MCs can realistically provide a real toileting schedule. You may be coming up on the threshold of needs that require a long term care facility and while they may have staff to put her on a toileting schedule........ diarrhea is no respecter of schedules. If the MD can get the diarrhea under control, it may help with the toileting schedule but staff for this ((the poorly paid CNAs get to do the fun job of toileting and cleanup); it's housekeeping that does the job of washing down the bathroom walls and cleaning the carpet and upholstery)) is still questionable in my mind.

Wishing you good luck!

My mom suffered from explosive diarrhea and the MC doctor (we chose him of the choice of a MD or a nurse practitioner). He put her on a fiber pill (2 to start) and they did the trick. WE did install a bidet because there was an outlet in the bathroom. We got her Bidet Genie with the heated seat and heated water from Amazon. It has been a game changer. we hung the remote on the wall and even if mom forgets how to use it, the staff love it. They just talk to her so she sits through the warm water wash (front and back EVERY time and the dryer). The combo of the fiber pills and bidet have made mom so much more comfortable and less anxious.

installing a bidet on her toilet might help. At least this would aid her in the clean up. Im surprised more people dont use this as it’s relatively inexpensive compared to endless wipes and toilet paper

I don’t know if a schedule is realistic. All you could do is to try and see how it works. She can’t control her bodily functions. She does need assistance with cleaning herself.

We all know that if a person goes to the bathroom, sometimes they have to return to the bathroom immediately afterwards. It’s impossible to predict when a person has to use the bathroom.

I feel that one of the main issues is that your mom can’t see.

My godmother eventually went blind due to macular degeneration. She wasn’t able to care for herself even when she had low vision. Her son had to place her in a skilled nursing facility so she could be cared for by staff around the clock.

What else can you do? I have heard of people hiring additional help in certain instances. My gosh, I am sure that you are already spending a fortune on her care as it is.

Maybe others will be able to toss out some helpful advice for you.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Schedules and diarrhea often don't mix. Loose stools can be unpredictable in the extreme.

A few things to think about. Be certain your elder isn't taking metamucil or other psyllium concoction like it, as these can increase gas, making stools more explosive. The one such psyllium that doesn't do this, and can actually help with creating more formed stools, in my own opinion and years as a nurse is citrucel, worth a try. Prilosec and some like meds can be notorious for frequent uncontrollable stools.

Does your mom have a call light to request help after having a bowel movement? Or is she unable to remember to ask for help?

I am assuming this has been discussed with an MD and there has been a workup to discover the reason for this. Has she by any chance had this problem starting after gallbladder removal? And ongoing since it? Because this is common and there is a medication for it (cholesteramine).

Sorry your Mom is dealing with this. This can lead to bladder infections, as well. Hope that something works for her.

Have you told them to put her on a schedule?

Yes, she definitely should have sppervised bathroom trips, but she also should be receiving incontinence care as well. She doesn't have to be completely incontinent, but at least would contain the mess and the staff should wipe her down in the bathroom