Hi All
Forgive me for raising what's an unpleasant problem and describing it fairly graphically. We're finding it hard to deal with.
I've consulted Mum's GP with my request for help but it will be a while before she can get back to me. Maybe there are other TPers who understand the problem and can even point towards how it could be solved?
Over the last 6 - 12 months or so, Mum's normal pattern of bowel movement is nothing for 3 - 4 days, then a really messy day. Mum's faeces are liquid and drip slowly from her. It's difficult to get someone clean and to change their pad in that situation, especially as we're working in a small loo never designed for accommodating 2 people at once. Mum's clothing, shoes and the loo area get splattered as one tries to do so - so far I haven't been splattered too but that no doubt will happen one day.
Mum's in the late stages of AD / Vas D (stage 6b perhaps) ... still mobile, usually can't understand instructions and inclined to pull up her pants / adjust her clothing at the most inconvenient times.
Mum had earlier problems with constipation but the problem seems to be now very loose stools. As you'd expect, UTI's aren't uncommon. She hasn't had any serious skin problems yet. Her fluid and food intake is very spasmodic - she usually won't drink much (occasionally she does) but tends to eat well for 24 hours, then not eat much over the next 24 hours.
Are liquid faeces typical of this stage of dementia please? Is there anything that can be done medically to "fix" the problem please?
Yours in hope ....
Forgive me for raising what's an unpleasant problem and describing it fairly graphically. We're finding it hard to deal with.
I've consulted Mum's GP with my request for help but it will be a while before she can get back to me. Maybe there are other TPers who understand the problem and can even point towards how it could be solved?
Over the last 6 - 12 months or so, Mum's normal pattern of bowel movement is nothing for 3 - 4 days, then a really messy day. Mum's faeces are liquid and drip slowly from her. It's difficult to get someone clean and to change their pad in that situation, especially as we're working in a small loo never designed for accommodating 2 people at once. Mum's clothing, shoes and the loo area get splattered as one tries to do so - so far I haven't been splattered too but that no doubt will happen one day.
Mum's in the late stages of AD / Vas D (stage 6b perhaps) ... still mobile, usually can't understand instructions and inclined to pull up her pants / adjust her clothing at the most inconvenient times.
Mum had earlier problems with constipation but the problem seems to be now very loose stools. As you'd expect, UTI's aren't uncommon. She hasn't had any serious skin problems yet. Her fluid and food intake is very spasmodic - she usually won't drink much (occasionally she does) but tends to eat well for 24 hours, then not eat much over the next 24 hours.
Are liquid faeces typical of this stage of dementia please? Is there anything that can be done medically to "fix" the problem please?
Yours in hope ....