My mum has Alzheimer's and thinks she needs to go to toilet too many times.
Each time she never uses toilet paper and her left hand and fingers end up covered in dirt.
There is no talking to her what do I do ?
My husband has reached the stage where he occasionally struggles with cleaning himself on the toilet - though he does still understand the concept of using toilet paper.
I find it easier to just be on hand in case he needs extra help and I find the packaged wet toilet wipes are easiest to use and do a great job.
My son, who also helps out, had to do the toilet duty himself a few days ago but he hasn't reached a stage yet when he feels able to actually do the wiping. His solution was to stand nearby and hand bits of toilet tissue to his dad, encourage him to clean and also encourage him to dispose of the tissue down the loo. It took a while but it was successful.
It's not a pleasant or comfortable situation for anyone but I'd rather do this than have the alternative.
As her Alzheimer's progressed, my mother started thinking she needed to go to the toilet more often than she really did. She'd feel the need to go, and then she'd go, and then at the slightest feeling of needing to go again, she'd be up. One overnight, she got herself up 6 times. I know, because I used a motion detector so I'd know when she was out of bed, and then I'd go to her room and help her by making sure she wiped herself.
I found it terribly awkward to do this, but as she is in my care, there wasn't much choice in the matter.
I use non-latex, powered gloves, and it has taken away all the feeling of awkwardness or, worse, grossness, to the task. We use toilet paper for the front bit and then she will stand up and we use disposable (but don't try to flush them) wipes for the back part. yes, it's not fun, but she is in my care, and this is what they would do at a care home. I'm not inclined to use a care home; I can know she is better cared for here.
My mother is no longer ambulatory, so caring for her has changed a bit, but she still needs to go. We have her on a schedule now that she can no longer get up and get to the toilet herself.
Get yourself some plastic gloves and baby wipes, and you'll feel a lot better about doing this.
Thank u so much and I will get all u advised. I just can't believe I never thought of it myself, incredible sometimes the answer may be so obvious
My mum has Alzheimer's and thinks she needs to go to toilet too many times.
Each time she never uses toilet paper and her left hand and fingers end up covered in dirt.
There is no talking to her what do I do ?
Yes, sure. You'll find this makes it so much better - for you and for her. There is one more thing that people don't think about. Most elderly people are lactose intolerant - they can't process the lactose in dairy products as well as they did formerly. If your mum has tea and uses milk or cream in it, or if she likes ice cream, or any other dairy products, and if she *is* lactose intolerant, she likely has soft and smelly poo resulting, and sometimes she might have poo incontinence. You can resolve this by using a pill like Lactaid, or by using lactose-free milk. Lactose free milk is just like milk - it has all the properties of milk and is not a reconstituted product - so this is what we use. We also use a probiotic capsule for seniors, and this has helped immensely in the poo department.
Sorry to be so graphic, but as we have been through what you might be facing, I thought I'd share that bit more.
T has same problem. Won't let me help him at all. Have tried everything. Minimum stuff kept in toilet now. Sometimes I try to encourage him to have bath. This works an odd time. It is very distressing. I can encourage hand washing.
Aisling ( Ireland )
Thank u Lynne I know what you mean just fight it out. Sometimes I raise my voice I must stop that clearly mum just doesn't understand anymore about the toilet.
When u say alternative do u mean care home ?
My mum has Alzheimer's and thinks she needs to go to toilet too many times.
Each time she never uses toilet paper and her left hand and fingers end up covered in dirt.
There is no talking to her what do I do ?
When u say alternative do u mean care home ?
Plus mum thinks she is in jail and everyone on tv is in jail. Also she always says don't let those people in all day I don't understand this because the only person whom calls is a carer for 30min in the morn.
Delusions are pretty standard in dementia.
Mum used to think that people were coming into her home all day, when actually there was no-one. She thought that children were coming in and re-arranging all the furniture.
Also, once they reach the stage of not recognising their home they start to think that they must be somewhere else - hotel/care home/hospital/jail. Ive heard of several people who think that they have been made prisoners.
Where mum thinks that she is often depends on what she has seen on television as she thinks that what she sees on TV is happening in real life actually in the room.
Thanx CJ so much will def check on all that I tend not to give my mum less chocolate now like chocolate eclair buns etc.
May I also ask. My mother insists on wearing tights this Is once again a prob in the toilet an xtra item to remove. Plus mum also wont sit on toilet but stands up I have to get her to sit down. Plus I change her underwear numerous times a day.
Also my mum use to smoke 4 cigs a day now it's over 20 should I let on she doesn't smoke anymore ?
Plus mum thinks she is in jail and everyone on tv is in jail. Also she always says don't let those people in all day I don't understand this because the only person whom calls is a carer for 30min in the morn.
My mum has Alzheimer's and thinks she needs to go to toilet too many times.
Each time she never uses toilet paper and her left hand and fingers end up covered in dirt.
There is no talking to her what do I do ?
Thanx Aisling can u help me with the question below posted to CJ and what does T mean in your post ?
As her Alzheimer's progressed, my mother started thinking she needed to go to the toilet more often than she really did. She'd feel the need to go, and then she'd go, and then at the slightest feeling of needing to go again, she'd be up. One overnight, she got herself up 6 times. I know, because I used a motion detector so I'd know when she was out of bed, and then I'd go to her room and help her by making sure she wiped herself.
I found it terribly awkward to do this, but as she is in my care, there wasn't much choice in the matter.
I use non-latex, powered gloves, and it has taken away all the feeling of awkwardness or, worse, grossness, to the task. We use toilet paper for the front bit and then she will stand up and we use disposable (but don't try to flush them) wipes for the back part. yes, it's not fun, but she is in my care, and this is what they would do at a care home. I'm not inclined to use a care home; I can know she is better cared for here.
My mother is no longer ambulatory, so caring for her has changed a bit, but she still needs to go. We have her on a schedule now that she can no longer get up and get to the toilet herself.
Get yourself some plastic gloves and baby wipes, and you'll feel a lot better about doing this.
What is a motion detector please? Am thinking of getting a baby alarm.
Aisling ( Ireland)