My Mom does not understand bathroom hygiene anymore which has made her prone to infections. It is hard to tell with her when she does have an infection and with her hygiene so poor she might as well take antiobiotics indefinitely which I know we cannot do. She wears 2 pads but probably should be wearing something like Depends. Her dementia is pretty advanced. I need something to deal with this situation and just have no ideas but one. I am wondering what everyone might think regarding a bidet for her. It is lighted, the water is warm and it has a dryer. I have never used one nor actually have I seen one except for a picture. Do you think it would confuse her even more? Do you think it would scare her? Have any of you ever had one for your elderly parent with dementia? Thanks in advance for any help!
My moms hygiene is deteriorating too, unfortunately. Simple tasks are becoming impossible for her to do on her own.
Most bidets are not powerful enough to clean an adult who has crapped in a diaper. The way to successfully acomplish that is with good, old-fashioned soap and water.
1 - She will do better with a toileting schedule. Basically she is helped to the toilet every 2 hours while she is awake to use the toilet.
2 - Every time she goes to the toilet, she should have her pad changed and have perineal care (cleansing of her bottom and female parts). Either the bidet or a couple of squirt bottles with warm water and warm soapy water can work. If she soils herself with feces, she may need somebody to actually wipe her bottom.
3 - Wiping her bottom parts should always from front to back.
4 - Since your mom has issues with wiping and keeping clean, try the bidet. You will need to be the one to "push the button" and make sure she stays seated until the cycle is completed.
5 - Try some of the pretty Depends type incontinence "pull up panties" for women. Put an overnight pad into it for night time and probably a heavy flow pad for daytime. They rip at the sides if she is incontinent of bowel.
You can certainly install a bidet and help her use it. But be prepared to uninstall it and return it back to the store. I did just that. My plan was to use it to clean my mother after #1 and #2, but the water pressure from the bidet was too weak to do much cleaning especially after a bowel movement in her diaper. I had to use the handheld shower head which was long enough and close enough to the toilet and put the spray pressure on high to clean her.
Wishing you the best of luck with a difficult situation!
Installing the bidet seat has been a huge help. He is now clean following a bowel movement, TP usage is way down by both of us.
Initially, simple instructions were posted on the wall to help him remember. He now uses the bidet every time and rarely has a problem.
Please know, an electrical outlet must be installed next to your toilet. And the outlet should be a GFI due to proximity to water/plumbing. This isn’t difficult to have done, but will be required.
Plus, the model we purchased heats the seat, heats the water which cleans you, the air flow for drying you is temperature controlled and the seat lid automatically raises when you walk toward the toilet, and lowers after you get up. Yes, more expensive, but has been well worth it with his being clean, no more backed up toilets, and considerably less TP being purchased.
As he primary caregiver, one less stress on me too.
If you do install one, make sure the water is warm. A blast of cold water would be frightening.
This is one thing that our 'retirement' home (we're downsizing soon) will have! DH has bowel issues and can't always get completely clean and it's kinda gross. As a woman, I'd LOVE the complete cleansing that it gives. But there's a learning curve, I'm sure.
YOU WILL STLL HAVE TO WIPR HER !
It also helps relax her bottom when she is a little constipated.
I have one in my bathroom and I love it but it's a manual sprayer and cold. It would never be a good idea for her.
I am sure you will be told a bidet will be a good thing.