My mom pees way more than she drinks. She is not incontinent, but every hour she has to pee and then she soaks through the pull-ups plus the extra pad I put in 2 times, once during the night and again by morning. I have to do laundry every day because of this. Does anyone know of an insert or diaper doubler that actually works? I am new to caregiving and hating every minute of it.
A caregiver doesn't really get the entire night off (in my opinion), hence the term "24/7" just ask the people on this site. Do you ever get up to urinate after bedtime and before getting up in the morning? Well, mom needs help to do that, like you said. Set an alarm and assist her. Looking for ways to convenience oneself (it is okay to find ways to make your life easier) so that mom has to sleep overnight in a wet bed would not be acceptable for my patient.
Then, there is INTAKE AND OUTPUT, to be measured. Find out how, because if it is true she excretes more water than intake, she will quickly become dehydrated.
Find out how, you are new to caregiving. You have a lot to learn if you are going to survive as a caregiver. Requiring your patient not to pee too much overnight
because it inconveniences you to change the sheets won't get anyone happy.
So, choose: buy more products to absorb more pee, change sheets in the mornings so you can sleep overnight; OR, wake up and help her.
P.S. There are medications to treat over-active bladder, it is common, again, check with the doctor.
Now, don't give up yet just because this is hard. The issue can be temporary. Some of the biggest complainers have turned out to be some of the best caregivers! You may not know unless you try. That is what this site is for: vent, get support, get differing opinions, etc. What is good: You asked the question because you already knew something was not working! Be sure to thank your fellow caregivers because that will go a long way on here. Good luck.
You might also consider buying a vinyl mattress like 2 inches thick to go over the regular one and not use sheets. Just use the disposable pad. I did that with mom and used a Clorox wipe on the vinyl pad every day.
by TRANQUILITY , they have very good product and they work. You can buy on Amazon or directly from they company. Good luck!
or directly from the company. Good luck!
If she's not making it to the toilet and wets her pants then she's incontinent...
It happens to a lot of people when they age.. Especially us women!!
If I sneeze I better be crossing my legs and squeezing tight..Or they'll be leakage.. LOL
Sounds like your Mom has a sensitive bladder, where just turning over in bed will make it feel like she has to go to the bathroom. I have that problem if I sit too longer in front of a computer, as soon as I stand up I have to make a mad dash and hope I get there in time :P
If she's peeing in her pants, she's incontinent, MSCoulter.
If it were my mom, I'd pull out my blood pressure cuff and check her blood pressure to see if it's uncharacteristically low. Then call her doctor, assuming it was low, and ask for a recommendation on decreasing her diuretic. I might also have her checked for a urinary tract infection.
I'll give you the thought I gave myself when caring for my mom -- I wonder how many diapers mom changed for me. The circle of life.
Hang in there.