My cousin wasn't told by his father's nurse that the suppository would/could cause watery, loose stools and YUCK! What a mess. I actually got a call from my cousin at 11pm begging me to help him clean his father.
Thankfully he had loaded the recliner with pads, but that diaper... We decided to give him a bath since watery poo was everywhere, but since he can't stand we couldn't get his butt completely clean. It was still coming out, so he'll have to be bathed in bed in the morning. Hopefully it's almost done because it had already been 11 hrs.
It wouldn't have been so bad if the diaper hadn't leaked. Any suggestions on diapers that are good for this?
I think hospital are anal about bowel movements. They think people need to go everyday. They always had my Mom on something. At first I would continue the meds when she got home but then I stopped. First because the body starts to depend on them and another, not everyone goes every day. The only thing that worked for Mom was Milk of Magnesia. So, if she hadn't gone in 3 days, I would give her some. They now have pill form. This is what her doctor recommended.
Is Uncle on hospice?
If Uncle doesn't move around much, try chucks under him. There are large ones, the color is pink/orange. You may be able to use them for clean up. Put them on his favorite chair. Not sure they still have them, but I had a crib sheet protector from one of my kids. Its flannel on the outside and rubber inside. I used it on Moms recliner seat. There are also other types my Mom had for my Dad. All washable. And for wipes, get Huggies. They are big and thick.
I can't think how anyone thinks your cousin can cope with your uncle's care, on his own, just like that, with not even informal training from the nurses on the scene.
What was the suppository for?
Cousin said he's nervous about moving his father because he's getting worse - more frail. He said he gently moved his leg and foot this morning because it was coming off the bed and he thought he heard cracking.
My uncle's hip area looks messed up on the side he fell on in the hospital. I wonder if he broke something and the nurses didn't check it out.
Leave off PJ bottoms and prep the bed with easily washed bedding.
Disposable bed pads - not lightweight chux but bigger, sturdier ones like those made by Depends... lay them over your washable bed pads.
Lots of gloves.
Soft paper towels (like bounty) followed by disposable wipes.
There are also spray on peri wash products that are good for men and women, or no rinse products that can be added to a pan of warm water and used with a wash cloth.
Follow up with plenty of barrier creams.
And may you never need it but I found my shop vac invaluable for cleaning up overflow that oozed down the side of the bed and onto the floor.
As for the smell... was this a bisacodyl suppository? In my experience these were too harsh and the smell was indescribable so they were reserved for the worst periods of constipation, glycerin suppositories didn't have the same nasty side effects.
He hadn't had a bowel movement in at least a week, maybe longer. He shouldn't need anymore, he doesn't really eat.
I have a dishpan i fill with warm water and no rinse soap (Amazon). I also purchased a bag of washcloths or rags, from Lowe’s. They’ve lasted more than a year. But if they’re really gross I just throw them away. The most important thing is to make sure you get all the creases and crevices. When he’s laying down, that’s the easiest way. Remove all the dirty sheets and pads first. I wash part of him while he’s on his side and the rest when he’s on his back. Dry and apply diaper rash cream or barrier cream (also Amazon)
There really is no adult brief made for fecal incontinence unfortunately. The kind with the tabs instead of the pull ups work a little better for us. If you have a home health nurse, they can show you how to put them on. Or, there is a video on YouTube.