I've asked this question elsewhere too, but would be very interested in views and opinions from the folks on here.
My husband (77) has recently been diagnosed with vascular dementia. As this is quite recent, I'm very much a newbie in the role of carer, so am learning as I go along and taking things one day at time. In the past he has also had strokes and been treated for prostate cancer. As a result of these things, he has significant mobility problems and has now developed continence problems (both types!). He wears pads/pants to manage this but is usually wet in the mornings, and often has "accidents" on the floors and furniture.
At home, I have protected our bed with appropriate mattress covers, washable Kylie pads etc and we are getting excellent support from the local Continence Service specialist nurse.
However, we have a long standing booking to go on a UK cottage holiday in the summer, and the thought of trying to manage his condition in someone else's (immaculate) home is daunting! We would have to go with a complete set of waterproof bed/mattress protection, our own bedding, supplies of pads and bags to dispose of them, cleaning materials etc. I would have to strip and re-make the bed when we arrive and leave, cover all the upholstered furniture and I will be on edge the whole time in case he has a bad accident on carpets etc, so not a "holiday" for me in any sense.
Of course, I manage this at home day to day, but we have a lot of hard surfaced floors and I know where I am with cleaning, disposal etc.
I feel bad for asking this question, but would you go or would you cancel? All advice and opinions would be welcomed. Thank you.
My husband (77) has recently been diagnosed with vascular dementia. As this is quite recent, I'm very much a newbie in the role of carer, so am learning as I go along and taking things one day at time. In the past he has also had strokes and been treated for prostate cancer. As a result of these things, he has significant mobility problems and has now developed continence problems (both types!). He wears pads/pants to manage this but is usually wet in the mornings, and often has "accidents" on the floors and furniture.
At home, I have protected our bed with appropriate mattress covers, washable Kylie pads etc and we are getting excellent support from the local Continence Service specialist nurse.
However, we have a long standing booking to go on a UK cottage holiday in the summer, and the thought of trying to manage his condition in someone else's (immaculate) home is daunting! We would have to go with a complete set of waterproof bed/mattress protection, our own bedding, supplies of pads and bags to dispose of them, cleaning materials etc. I would have to strip and re-make the bed when we arrive and leave, cover all the upholstered furniture and I will be on edge the whole time in case he has a bad accident on carpets etc, so not a "holiday" for me in any sense.
Of course, I manage this at home day to day, but we have a lot of hard surfaced floors and I know where I am with cleaning, disposal etc.
I feel bad for asking this question, but would you go or would you cancel? All advice and opinions would be welcomed. Thank you.
