It's not bad but bad enough. He has heart issues and lung issues. He has copd, emphysemia, icd/defibrilator. He isn't doing much on the fitted sheet, but when he does, it is just very smelly and messy. Of course, I change them, but is there a way I can do this without having to change the sheets daily? He is 83 and able to dress, bathe, etc. by himself. He is on oxygen 24/7. I am retired, so I can be there for him.
I now use these pads myself if I am sick. Washing a small pad is much easier than remaking the entire bed.
I got mine at Target. I think they are readily available where sheets and mattress pads are sold.
How about (this is going to sound crazy) but what about putting three sheets on the bed, each one with a layer of heavy duty pads between them, then as he stains each sheet layer, you can just take that top sheet off, throw out the heavy duty pad, (or perhaps layer it with several pads) and you have the next sheet on. That way you make the bed once in several layers?
I'd also tell him (not ask him) to wear adult pants to bed. Don't call them diapers. Just buy then, show them they look like underwear, tell him how hard it is for you to change these sheets, and tell him he's going to wear them?
In 'homes' this is what they do. There is no choice. My mother, who has in the unit up north for five weeks was in adult underwear. I thought she was incontinent. She was not. For fourteen months she's been wearing underwear and just recently started to leak a bit. Now that she's in rehab again, they've got her in adult undergarments.
We have to look at the realty of the situation. Be practical. Taking care of someone is hard in and of itself. There should be no need to have to change sheets all the time if the problem can be solved by wearing adult underwear.
If he's cognizant, suggest to him that HE change the sheets because you're not doing it anymore and you're going to sleep on the couch. I guarantee he'll wear adult underwear to bed. BTW, if they are clean in the morning, you can use them again at night.
Since he is of sound mind, according to your post, tell him doing all this laundry is too exhausting for you. What does HE suggest? I know for myself I don't mind shoving the sheets into the washer/dryer, but how I dread putting them back on the bed, especially dealing with the bottom fitted sheet :P
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