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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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It has to be solved because she lives at home with sitters and its unsanitary, but she wont let caregivers help clean her up and change her, except at bath time. Once a day is no longer often enough for her.
My mom did the same. She insisted she was okay, but when she almost flushed the depends down the toilet. I finally just stepped in with out asking....I put my rubber gloves on and said "I am here to help you!" From then out even though she resented me in there with her she caved. After a while she would push her walker over to me and tell me to sit down. We would sit there while she did her job and smile at each other. Sometimes the first couple of times are awkward but they eventually get use to it. But make sure someone else can help you out once in a while. Mom only felt comfortable with me and I was expected to be there every time. Let me just say its no fun getting a call when your at the grocery store because she needs you to come back home to wipe her. :(
msdaizy, in case you've ever wondered the cost of unplugging a Depends stuck in toilet pipes, it is $270 -- or at least it was here, a few years ago. :)
One option might be to purchase a few hard-to-remove garments (like jumpsuits that zip up the back, available from specialty stores for adaptive clothing) that would require the help of a sitter or you, so someone could be with her and help her. That should minimize the mess. After she got used to this routine the special clothing might not be as necessary.
Another option is to have baths as many times as needed per day, if she is OK with help at that time.
Ok, think of it as role reversal...Don't any of you remember when your mother took care of YOU??? She changed YOUR diapers, cleaned YOU up, bathed you, dressed you, fed you...right? without so much as a complaint either...well, from MY OWN person observations in life, ALL of us Adults, seem to go RIGHT up to a peak...then we end up going RIGHT back down....that SAME hill....right back into the child-like behaviors...we thought we were finished with. What goes up..must come down...some...come down further and faster than others....Try and be there for your mother....tell her..."Remember when you did all of this for me? Well, now I am returning the favor...with as much love...and care as you had for me" tell her that....and try to think of things like that...in that way...
Oh...I forgot to add...we all seem to go back to a varying level of childhood-like state..before we go on to the next life or to the next world....if you can't do what your mother did to you when you were a kid, then that seems a little well, selfish and one-sided. It's hard...harder really when we are talking about adults here that we look up to. Fill your hearts with love, admiration and get rid of all that guilt. Set down all of that baggage. Don't carry it around with you...it's just useless clutter in your emotional life. Rather...think of things from a role reversal point of view....Love, compassion, bonding...create some little bonding games...like your mother did when you were a infant and toddler...you can also give your mother a hug and a kiss when you are done...it will let her know that you love her and that you care.
Ya know, DiaperExpert39, I don't see ECrabtreeW looking for motivation for changing Mother. What he/she asked for is help with the HOW, not the WHY. Very very few of the caretakers on this site need lectures about why we should care for our loved one.
Changing/cleaning up an adult is not remotely like changing a baby. No way. I've done them both. Many of us have. And even if we raised seven kids and could diaper them in no time flat, we still might need some pointers on how to do it with a 150 pound adult who is not cooperative.
Don't assume that everyone who asks for help in solving a practical problem needs a motivational lecture.
(LoL ... can you tell this is a hot button for me?)
Yes...WOW! Diapering seven kids...Advice is free...if you choose to take it....fine...but if not...no sweat off MY back....take or leave it...like it or not...I express myself regardless.
BTW, Don't mind my humorous idea to put my BIG HEAD on a Pampers Box.....it's MY light-hearted way of being Ironic....I AM a diaper expert....after all.
Hi EcrabtreeW, I agree with jeannegibbs , it sounds like you have the heart for the job just not the know how.
DiaperExpert39(love the avatar BTW) , so-HOW can crabtree do this? You cannot choose that name without backing it up. :0) I really like msdaizy's approach -so sweet!!!!- but whatif Mom is very modest? Or just temperamental? My mom was here all week and needs help with the bathroom but has such a hard time accepting it. I tell her over and over again that I don't mind , that I clean up my 16 year old special needs daughter, that I was an aide for a nursing home, that I love her and she cleaned my butt for years now it is my turn, i use humor, ( that works best with her) but she still feels awful when I have to help her and it breaks my heart. Thank goodness she doesn't try to flush her Depends or take them off herself -yet- but what do I do if we get to that stage? And she sure ain't like my girl who has little modesty and would run around the house buck *ss naked if I let her. I tease my Mom and say she needs to give my daughter some of her modesty and my daughter needs to giver her some of her , er, freeness.
Thanks for the encouragement. I do know how to change adult diapers but only if they are lying down. (I train volunteers to change a 30 year old friend who has been in a semi vegetative state for the past 11 years 0: , which is btw is WAY easier than my dad who was quite combative (YIKES!).... I think if I lay mom down I could do it, but she's not ready to lay down and be changed. She needs me to get her soiled pullups off, and wipe her. Its not going so well b/c she wont let me tear or cut them, but I hope to get the hang of it. It does give you a new brighter perspective on changing infants, doesnt it! you guys are great. (:
How long has she had this? And is the doctor aware? My mother would not go to a doctor about her bowels, but once she was in the hospital they treated her and aren't cleaning up (many) messes. Mother refused our advice of Amodium and fiber. But, in the hospital, she didn't have a choice.
Having same problem with elderly father who has dementia. Though he is aware of where he steps and wants his back dried 3x before putting on a shirt, he does not seem aware that he has soiled his depends. Laying him down might make him easier to clean but sometimes I cannot even get him to stand up. And he is stubborn. Ideas? Suggestions?
Wordy2shoes. Your dad has dementia with the brain is slowly dying. It might not be that he just cannot stand up straight. With my mom when I cleaned her off from the commode she would lean. So much that if I didn't have a good hold on her. She would slowly lean into the ground. What kind of Dementia does your dad have? Do you have anything that he can hold onto when you clean him? They will be frighted of falling and rightly so. Because falling down is a big symptom of the dementia also. When he stands does he grasp on to something with a death grip? It's such a frustrating disease and I implore you to find out as much as you can about it. It will help you in the long run on how to cope with the care. Good luck and God Bless.
msdaizy, yes my dad has a slowly dying brain. I know he's afraid of falling. He's afraid of or confused by stepping from one color floor to another. He doesn't know he's soiled his depends. Bowel incontinence just started in the last month. Urinary incontinence began about a year ago. Bowel incontinence was occasional in the last month, but this week it's been every time. It's a new pattern for me and I just need to know whether there's a way to ease the cleaning process. Just gave him a shower and he started going again but would not sit on the toilet. Said he couldn't. Probably need a raised seat or more "grabs." Trouble is, he usually doesn't grab on to what grab bars I do have . . . sometimes it's really hard to know what will help, what he still can do and realize . . . guess I'm adjusting to this new progression in his care.
Okay...so you say he is progressing more. Do you have Hospice? If not he sounds like he is close to being eligible. Maybe talk to his doctor and give him the information of what you have been struggling with. They can have Hospice come out and evaluate him. It might be close to the last stages..if not that. In the last stages mom was bedridden. It literally took two of us to sit her on a bedside commode. Eventually it was cleaning her up in the bed. It's such a horrible disease..I'm sorry you are going through this. My heart goes out to you. Hospice is a great resource. They will send out bath aides and provide you with respite care. It was my lifeline. And if your dad has a DNR or advance directive they will keep him comfortable with medications that will ease his anxiousness. God Bless you for being there for him. It was the hardest job I have ever had...but I have no regrets in the end. My mom was the sweetest person and she didn't deserve this frustrating disease. She passed away January 9th of this year. Good luck.
I would recommend using the disposable garments for urinary incontinence only since yes it would be rather messy to pull them down. Some pull away tabs that do not turn them into diapers would be a great idea! I'll think about this design & try to work it through Kimberly-Clarke (R&D in my area).
My mom has to wear the diapers. She is in a nursing home, unfortunately. There residents wear the disposable garments only for urinary problems. It's more sanitary that way. It all about the cleanliness. Elders are more prone to infections, anyway. My mom, a diabetic, still managed to get a urinary tract infection that took 2 weeks in the hospital to clear up. She was in terrible pain the first week or so. It blew her mind, too.
I would tell Mom that you love her too much for something like that to happen to her. I'm sure you don't want something like that to happen to any of your family members. Hopefully, she loves you and yours (and herself) enough also to swallow her pride, even though we can all agree--that is one bitter pill to swallow.
Bowel incontinence is one of the top three reasons for placement in a facility. For some individuals with dementia the brain signal that sends the info that it's time to go to the bathroom is no longer received- ergo, bowel accidents. Most people go on schedule so keeping a log of the time a day they go is a good start- that way you may be able to "anticipate" and help/direct them to the toilet. Foods and medication can cause a person to go more so keeping a food diary might be helpful. As for changing diapers between my mom and dad I had PTDD (post traumatic diaper disorder). Having dad lie on his side (back side facing me) was the most modest and easiest way to change and clean him up. Depends pull up were the hardest to get off mom so instead of trying to pull them down I'd cut one side with a pair of scissors- made taking them off so much easier and a lot less fuss. Cleaning up with baby wipes and a spray bottle with warm water worked well for me. Always wear gloves. Mom had Picks so everything was a battle. I found that having a radio in the bathroom and speaking softly worked miracles. Instead of scolding or embarrassing her I'd say,"Mom, it's time for a changing- let me help you". Also either get one of those toilet flow stoppers installed or shut the water off to the toilet. It cost a lot to unplug a stuffed toilet and a toilet that overflows can do thousands of dollars in water damage. Hope this helps.
Yes...I definitely agree with Nataly1....you do not want him to be on his own. We have had several lucky breaks when it came to catching mom in time with the flushing of pads and depends. Eventually if you get into a routine he will start to adjust to it. I never made a big thing out of a mess either..it's really embarrassing for them to say this least. I would just say, It's okay mom...we will get you cleaned up in a jiffy.
i don't know if you get these in the states but we have full grown nappies here with the sticky tabs on the sides for adults, just like the baby ones. if pulling the depends down is making the mess, are there the baby style nappy in the states? that might make it easier for you to remove it off her rather than try to manipulate a soiled depends down without spilling anything. when my fil wakes up i'll check the brand name of what we buy here, maybe you can order off the internet? too early in the morning for him to be awake here :-)
They do carry adult diapers here. If he qualifies for Hospice they will provide them and other medical equipment and supplies. It would be very beneficial to you to check into it.
You can buy about a dozen small scissors in a package - they are like for kid's crafts, but they are good enough to quickly cut down the side of a soiled diaper. So when you like 12 of these little scissors you can keep a couple everywhere, that way you are not running around looking for a pair.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
One option might be to purchase a few hard-to-remove garments (like jumpsuits that zip up the back, available from specialty stores for adaptive clothing) that would require the help of a sitter or you, so someone could be with her and help her. That should minimize the mess. After she got used to this routine the special clothing might not be as necessary.
Another option is to have baths as many times as needed per day, if she is OK with help at that time.
Oh gosh, this is Not Fun, is it?
Changing/cleaning up an adult is not remotely like changing a baby. No way. I've done them both. Many of us have. And even if we raised seven kids and could diaper them in no time flat, we still might need some pointers on how to do it with a 150 pound adult who is not cooperative.
Don't assume that everyone who asks for help in solving a practical problem needs a motivational lecture.
(LoL ... can you tell this is a hot button for me?)
I agree with jeannegibbs , it sounds like you have the heart for the job just not the know how.
DiaperExpert39(love the avatar BTW) , so-HOW can crabtree do this? You cannot choose that name without backing it up. :0) I really like msdaizy's approach -so sweet!!!!- but whatif Mom is very modest? Or just temperamental? My mom was here all week and needs help with the bathroom but has such a hard time accepting it. I tell her over and over again that I don't mind , that I clean up my 16 year old special needs daughter, that I was an aide for a nursing home, that I love her and she cleaned my butt for years now it is my turn, i use humor, ( that works best with her) but she still feels awful when I have to help her and it breaks my heart. Thank goodness she doesn't try to flush her Depends or take them off herself -yet- but what do I do if we get to that stage? And she sure ain't like my girl who has little modesty and would run around the house buck *ss naked if I let her. I tease my Mom and say she needs to give my daughter some of her modesty and my daughter needs to giver her some of her , er, freeness.
Life is messy. Literally.
The dr knows and said it a symptom of her vascualar dementia. Glad to hear your mom got treated!
My mom has to wear the diapers. She is in a nursing home, unfortunately. There residents wear the disposable garments only for urinary problems. It's more sanitary that way. It all about the cleanliness. Elders are more prone to infections, anyway. My mom, a diabetic, still managed to get a urinary tract infection that took 2 weeks in the hospital to clear up. She was in terrible pain the first week or so. It blew her mind, too.
I would tell Mom that you love her too much for something like that to happen to her. I'm sure you don't want something like that to happen to any of your family members. Hopefully, she loves you and yours (and herself) enough also to swallow her pride, even though we can all agree--that is one bitter pill to swallow.