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Marissa, I had read somewhere that a person who is deep into Alzheimer's are unable to "find" the toilet opening in the bathroom. It was suggested to remove the white toilet seat and replace it would one that is brightly colored. I never needed to do this, but thought it was an interesting idea. Then it dawned on me that the seat would be up, thus maybe some thing to outline the rim of the toilet in a bright color.
The article also suggested painting the wall behind the toilet and sink a different color from the rest of the bathroom, a darker wall color would work best. For some reason that draws the attention to the sink/toilet.
One thing, do not place a very dark color rug in front of anything in the bathroom. With Alzheimer's, sometimes the person will think the dark rug is a hole in the floor.
So sorry you are going through this with your Dad, it's quite a challenge.
Will he tolerate an adult diaper? Does anyone help him with toileting or he's supposed to be independent in this arena? Sadly, I feel it may be unlikely for him to understand where he is supposed to pee.
My husband would mistake the wastebasket (or hamper or closet) for the toilet. If he chooses the same spot, can you put a small wastebasket there? I know I could position my husband right in front of the toilet and he still had difficulty “seeing” it. He did come to prefer sitting on the toilet after awhile. I’m sorry.
Why not get a urinal bottle like they use at the hospital and simply hold it there (with his private part inside the bottle). It will prevent a mess on the floor. You can get those online or at a local medical supply store.
I had this friend whose younger brother had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It got to the point where the brother could no longer walk, was in a wheelchair, and had to use a urinal bottle when he had to pee. The boy died in 1974, and is buried just up the road from where I live
We used a urinal with my DH and it worked great! HomeHealthCare will even supply them.
I did learn that they will stain & stink - but I started putting just a few drops of Hibiclens (pre-surgical scrub) into the bottle and even his oldest urinal looked like (and smelled like) new again.
He was 96+ when he passed and I had them everywhere he was likely to need to 'go' for obvious reasons. In the end I did have to support him and hold the urinal for him - but that still beat the alternatives for us.
I like the idea freyflyer gave you about the brightly colored toilet seat. I would put down those puppy pads. It may look odd, but will be a much easier clean up.
I think I now understand why my Alzheimer’s father insist on having a plastic urinal with him at all times. He packs it around with him in his walker. We always have to make sure it’s empty before putting walker in car. I didn’t realize finding the toilet was the issue for so many. Thanks for sharing.
Pooch Pads are washable very absorbent pads you can put by the toilet. You will want to use something to secure them, they are a bit slick. I keep baby detergent and a bucket in bathroom, so I can hand wash and use dryer or hang dry. They come in 3 packs, so you can always have a fresh one ready and last a good year or more.
Opt 2- get a cammode style raised seat. It looks like a cammode without a bottom. It has very secure hand rails for when he does sit. Set it to a height several inches above the toilet and leave the seat up. He can stand closer and it funnels flow into the toilet. The legs adjust to variable heights. Unless he stands and doesn't use a hand at all for direction, this should work. Also color contrast is a great visual clue. Basically bring the target closer to him. Good luck.
Before I realized my husband was having toileting issues, I discovered he was going in odd places like the cat box, the paper shredder, anything that resembled a urinal or toilet. He was willing to use a plastic urinal at night, but at times, he was too asleep and missed or he tried to make it to the bathroom. I bought a vinyl table cloth and laid it on the floor by the bed. Then I placed pee pads on top. This was a big help. When he went to pull ups, those worked well eventually, but his mind wanted to treat them like regular briefs. He resisted wetting his pants and would try to use them like regular men’s briefs. The bottom line was that I had to be vigilant so I could give him prompts and guidance before he had an accident. I didn’t know about the way to clean the urinals to prevent stains and odors. I would toss the used ones out after a while and replace them. It’s just all a struggle when you have potty training happening in reverse.
On similar questions, I have suggested this and I think people think I am joking. When I was living in Europe, some of the public restrooms had a little figure of a fly or something in the bottom of toilet bowl or urinal, near the drain.
The intent was that for all men, it was a natural urge to aim at that fly. When my dad began having problems, I found some decals online, intended mainly for toilet training for small boys. But there is a human urge to aim at that fly.
Is it a cureall? No. But it really helped with my dad. In fact as I get older and lazier I thought of getting some for my toilet, as it is fun to aim your stream at that fly.
Maybe try a Toilet Night Light with changing colors (Amazon, approx 8 bucks). They have a motion sensor that stays on for 2 minutes. The bowl lights up with varying colors. My husband loves ours. When he enters the bathroom at night, the soft colored light in the bowl comes on and he can hit with sharp precision. Also, the light stays on long enough to guide him back to bed. It doesn't wake me up like the regular light does. I gave one to my mother in AL and she loves hers too.
I think the Toilet Nightlights are great for anyone getting up in the night to urinate. My husband does not have dementia, but he does have an overactive bladder. LOL. I just ordered several more for prizes in my card group.
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.
The article also suggested painting the wall behind the toilet and sink a different color from the rest of the bathroom, a darker wall color would work best. For some reason that draws the attention to the sink/toilet.
One thing, do not place a very dark color rug in front of anything in the bathroom. With Alzheimer's, sometimes the person will think the dark rug is a hole in the floor.
So sorry you are going through this with your Dad, it's quite a challenge.
I did learn that they will stain & stink - but I started putting just a few drops of Hibiclens (pre-surgical scrub) into the bottle and even his oldest urinal looked like (and smelled like) new again.
He was 96+ when he passed and I had them everywhere he was likely to need to 'go' for obvious reasons. In the end I did have to support him and hold the urinal for him - but that still beat the alternatives for us.
I keep baby detergent and a bucket in bathroom, so I can hand wash and use dryer or hang dry. They come in 3 packs, so you can always have a fresh one ready and last a good year or more.
Opt 2- get a cammode style raised seat. It looks like a cammode without a bottom. It has very secure hand rails for when he does sit. Set it to a height several inches above the toilet and leave the seat up. He can stand closer and it funnels flow into the toilet. The legs adjust to variable heights. Unless he stands and doesn't use a hand at all for direction, this should work. Also color contrast is a great visual clue. Basically bring the target closer to him.
Good luck.
When he went to pull ups, those worked well eventually, but his mind wanted to treat them like regular briefs. He resisted wetting his pants and would try to use them like regular men’s briefs. The bottom line was that I had to be vigilant so I could give him prompts and guidance before he had an accident.
I didn’t know about the way to clean the urinals to prevent stains and odors. I would toss the used ones out after a while and replace them. It’s just all a struggle when you have potty training happening in reverse.
https://www.agingcare.com/products/urifunnel-437251.htm
The intent was that for all men, it was a natural urge to aim at that fly. When my dad began having problems, I found some decals online, intended mainly for toilet training for small boys. But there is a human urge to aim at that fly.
Is it a cureall? No. But it really helped with my dad. In fact as I get older and lazier I thought of getting some for my toilet, as it is fun to aim your stream at that fly.