My granny suffers from Alzheimer's/dementia, she does not have the ability to tell when she has to urinate. She urinates on the floor, on me while cleaning her. She sits in her chair, urinates and cannot even tell that she is wet. I am going thru pads and Depends like crazy! Doing 3-4 loads of laundry per day, not to mention scrubbing floors, washing shower curtains, because she pee's on the bathroom floor, it splashes on the curtain. I would tell her every 1 1/2 - 2 hours to use the bathroom, but it doesn't help. Yesterday I asked her every 1/2 hour because the prior day every hour she was peeing on herself. She does not have a UTI and this is beyond an over active bladder. What are your thoughts?
Since this was put in place, I have not seen granny this relaxed, anxiety has disappeared and so has her agitation.
To ElderCareGiving: Granny does not find it uncomfortable, she said does not even notice it. When getting ready for bed I would put on a diaper with two Tena pads, another diaper and then rubber pants, but yet she would soak through all of it. As far as the liquids, she needs to drink at least 48 oz per day due to hypo-tension. If she gets less than that her blood pressure plummets. We do cut off all liquids after 6:30 pm, just a small amt for her nightly meds.
The only thing that concerns me is the UTI's, as she is prone to them, as all elderly are.
The house is so calm and stress free tonight, first time in 2 years. Keep in mind she has had issues with incontinence for many, many years and she is only 77 yrs old. In 1959 she was involved in a very serious car accident, suffered TBI, then had a TIA about 15 yrs ago, now throw in the Alzheimer's/dementia. The doc explained to me with all these circumstances involving the brain, it is affecting her ability to recognize when she has to go to the bathroom, to feel that she is wet or to control it. I feel very good about this decision, as I was a little hesitant. I have taken care of numerous clients with Alzheimer's/dementia and have never experienced the incontinence issue like I have with granny.
Why so much urine? Is she drink more than she should? I assume you have tried using two pads at once?
I too would like to hear what other people have done in this situation.
I have a feeling that this would be a traumatic situation for your granny and am doubtful that a doctor would go along such a procedure on a regular basis.
I do, of course, have great sympathy for what you are enduring. It's common Alzheimer's behavior, so that's why I'm hoping the community will have some input. It could be that your granny is just becoming too much for you to handle at home. Talk with the doctor about this issue. Please let us know how it goes.
Take care,
Carol