Will literally remove clothing and urinate. Maybe he can’t find the restroom? We already put up signs, taped arrows on the floor, and give audible instructions.
As someone else answered…your loved one needs full time supervision. I am full time caregiver for my husband with dementia. He is bedridden now, so inappropriate urination isn’t the issue anymore. I do have some help…hospice and a couple of part time helpers.
When toileting became an issue, I literally kept a log of when he’d urinate, dedicate, what/when he ate and drank.
i would take him to the bathroom every few hours. Except at night, he’d wear pull ups with an extra pad in there and with Chux on bed, we rarely had leakage. Sometimes he’d wake me (inadvertently) to use toilet at night, even though he had on pull ups. I still escort him to bathroom to assist him.
In daytime, in the bathroom I would have to help with his pants (we went all elastic, all the time). Id encourage him to sit on toilet. I just thought that would be easier than standing to pee and then sit to poop…just sit all the time. It worked 80% of the time. About 15% of the time we wouldn’t make to toilet in time; about 5% of the time it was flat out refusal to use toilet. He’d get angry and abusive. I’d just wait it out and try again in a little later. I’d watch him closely also note his behavior…is he getting restless, agitated, skirmy etc. when I’d see those signs I’d be ready to get him to bathroom. Gently, but firmly, be loving (even though your mind is saying OMG, hurry up!). And remember how he must feel losing his independence and the indignity of having someone help you with the most personal of issues.
I did buy washable seat pads for all the upholstered chairs and couches and put disposable Chux pads on those! I couldn’t afford to buy new furniture. But again with keeping him on a schedule and escorting him, and learning his “about to potty” behaviors it really helped.
It was very grueling. However it did pass and he went to adult diapers all the time and now as I said, he’s bedridden.
Many on this forum have lots of personal AND professional experience caring for patients with dementia and may not understand how those encountering an issue for the first time can be flummoxed by what may be obvious to the experienced caregiver.
Of course, this is a real question! I am not yet dealing with this issue with my husband but I know toileting issues are next. I will be at a loss when the time comes.
At the outset of his diagnosis, I thought MC would be an obvious decision when such issues arise. I now realize it is not so easy even if it is the obvious solution.
Momof8, I hope treating the UTI solves the issue for now. Take good care of yourself.
Some of these responses are not kind. Obviously the caregiver is just entering the horrible, cruel world of dementia with their loved one. This forum is to sincerely help, not judge. Often, the family member is trying to avoid placement in memory care. Just visit any, you’ll understand why. The honest, kind answer is, full time supervision, and still expect some messes OR placement in a memory care facility. For most of us, we try everything else before moving our loved one to memory care. It should be a last resort. We have just walked this walk and it is painful and difficult. Please remember we come to this forum for help and SUPPORT.
He did end up having a UTI. Mom is adamant that she wants to keep him home but she will need help. (Not a tech savvy person so I am looking for ideas to help them.) The suggestion of the signs came from his home health/PT worker that comes twice a week to check on him (at least it was worth a try).
UTIs can present this way. If he is having urgency, frequency, or burning, he cannot express this to you. Do you notice an odor to his urine? Discuss with his provider, who will suggest the best way to accomplish obtaining a urine specimen, and or culture, to rule out any infection. Best of luck.
At this point your LO doesn't know what they are doing at all - Someone needs to keep an eye on them 24/7 to prevent this. Sounds like a disposable diaper won't work either because they remove their clothing! Tough one! Sorry I couldn't be more help. My only thought is to be on constant watch (like a baby or toddler) and at night I'd place a bed alarm so you know they're getting up! Maybe a bedside commode would work for that? My Best Wishes to You!
You are dealing with dementia . He can no longer be left to use the bathroom himself. Every 2 hours at least you or someone needs to say.."Jack", it is time to go to the bathroom." and that person helps "Jack" up and walks him to the bathroom. And if need be you stand there until Jack is done, remind him to wash hands then say "Jack, let's go get something to drink" and go to the kitchen. Doing this does a few things. Not only does it get him to the bathroom but it gets him moving, changes his position so that it help prevent pressure sores.
Change the type of clothing he has to a type that is more difficult for him to get off easily.
Signs are NOT going to work. He may not know what the sign means any more, he may not know what a "bathroom" is he may not know how to read any more. Lots of reasons why signs will not work.
It is possible that you may have to look into placing him in Memory Care. this is a difficult decision but sometimes it gets to the point where the level of care necessary is more than can be done by 1 person at home. It is not a "failure" it just means that his care is more than you can handle at home.
Someone obviously needs to be with him 24/7, and needs to be taking him to the bathroom on a regular schedule(every 2 hours)and standing with him to make sure he's peeing in the toilet and not elsewhere. If that can't be done in home, then placement in a memory care facility is the next step.
If the person can feel the urge it would be nicer for them to go in the appropriate place - but if they cannot, I can only think of 2 solutions; 1. Complete, close supervision, then assistance to quickly move to the bathroom (or urinal bottle) 2. Incontinence underwear (pullups) + anti-strip clothing
When toileting became an issue, I literally kept a log of when he’d urinate, dedicate, what/when he ate and drank.
i would take him to the bathroom every few hours. Except at night, he’d wear pull ups with an extra pad in there and with Chux on bed, we rarely had leakage. Sometimes he’d wake me (inadvertently) to use toilet at night, even though he had on pull ups. I still escort him to bathroom to assist him.
In daytime, in the bathroom I would have to help with his pants (we went all elastic, all the time). Id encourage him to sit on toilet. I just thought that would be easier than standing to pee and then sit to poop…just sit all the time. It worked 80% of the time. About 15% of the time we wouldn’t make to toilet in time; about 5% of the time it was flat out refusal to use toilet. He’d get angry and abusive. I’d just wait it out and try again in a little later. I’d watch him closely also note his behavior…is he getting restless, agitated, skirmy etc. when I’d see those signs I’d be ready to get him to bathroom. Gently, but firmly, be loving (even though your mind is saying OMG, hurry up!). And remember how he must feel losing his independence and the indignity of having someone help you with the most personal of issues.
I did buy washable seat pads for all the upholstered chairs and couches and put disposable Chux pads on those! I couldn’t afford to buy new furniture. But again with keeping him on a schedule and escorting him, and learning his “about to potty” behaviors it really helped.
It was very grueling. However it did pass and he went to adult diapers all the time and now as I said, he’s bedridden.
Good Luck and let us know what works for you,
Of course, this is a real question! I am not yet dealing with this issue with my husband but I know toileting issues are next. I will be at a loss when the time comes.
At the outset of his diagnosis, I thought MC would be an obvious decision when such issues arise. I now realize it is not so easy even if it is the obvious solution.
Momof8, I hope treating the UTI solves the issue for now. Take good care of yourself.
Often, the family member is trying to avoid placement in memory care. Just visit any, you’ll understand why.
The honest, kind answer is, full time supervision, and still expect some messes OR placement in a memory care facility. For most of us, we try everything else before moving our loved one to memory care. It should be a last resort.
We have just walked this walk and it is painful and difficult.
Please remember we come to this forum for help and SUPPORT.
Mom is adamant that she wants to keep him home but she will need help. (Not a tech savvy person so I am looking for ideas to help them.) The suggestion of the signs came from his home health/PT worker that comes twice a week to check on him (at least it was worth a try).
Best of luck.
When someone is whipping it out and pissing anywhere and everywhere that is when it's time to find a residential care facility for them.
He can no longer be left to use the bathroom himself.
Every 2 hours at least you or someone needs to say.."Jack", it is time to go to the bathroom." and that person helps "Jack" up and walks him to the bathroom. And if need be you stand there until Jack is done, remind him to wash hands then say "Jack, let's go get something to drink" and go to the kitchen.
Doing this does a few things. Not only does it get him to the bathroom but it gets him moving, changes his position so that it help prevent pressure sores.
Change the type of clothing he has to a type that is more difficult for him to get off easily.
Signs are NOT going to work.
He may not know what the sign means any more, he may not know what a "bathroom" is he may not know how to read any more. Lots of reasons why signs will not work.
It is possible that you may have to look into placing him in Memory Care. this is a difficult decision but sometimes it gets to the point where the level of care necessary is more than can be done by 1 person at home.
It is not a "failure" it just means that his care is more than you can handle at home.
https://www.silverts.com/all-adaptive/pants/alzheimer-s-jumpsuits
If that can't be done in home, then placement in a memory care facility is the next step.
Your moms brain is broke it's only going to get worse. It might be time to start thinking about future care for her
I don't really have any good ideas on how to stop that. Other than a onesie. Which I think they do make for adults, which you can check on Amazon.
Best of luck, Im sure this is very hard 🙏
If the person can feel the urge it would be nicer for them to go in the appropriate place - but if they cannot, I can only think of 2 solutions;
1. Complete, close supervision,
then assistance to quickly move to the bathroom (or urinal bottle)
2. Incontinence underwear (pullups) + anti-strip clothing