This is not a post about house flipping or remodeling even though I have a few of those under my belt. That is another post for another day. Today we will be discussing what happens or should happen in this room. If you have ever potty trained a child you know the frustration in the beginning and the happy dance in the end. Unfortunately, as a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s there is no happy dance in the end. Keeping calm through the problems with urinary tract infections and incontinence can be challenging.
A piece of advice I offer all caregivers of those with dementia is always consider testing for urinary tract infections when there is a sudden behavior change. Thankfully, I had an experienced emergency room team when I had my first encounter with this. Anger and aggression from a usually passive person caused the assisted living to contact me. No one had informed me that uti’s often lead to this. Delirium can result in as little as one to two days.
The bacteria in the urine spreads to the bloodstream. When this crosses into the brain, confusion and other cognitive difficulties can happen. In a brain that is already compromised, this may be worsened.
There are other symptoms to clue you in. These include foul smelling urine and frequent needs to urinate. Under the advice of an experienced elder care nurse, I learned to avoid catheters with my father. He had urinary incontinence and was on lasix. Due to mild dementia from years of diabetes he didn’t always make it to the bathroom or feel the sensation we do. Her advice was to avoid catheters because they cause frequent urinary tract infections.
If you find yourself suspecting a uti, ask the doctor to test. Please convince them the patient does not need a foley catheter. If you hate them, just imagine being in pain and confusion and having this happen to you. You have to speak up as the advocate!
Hopefully you will never need this information but I am adding it if you do. Not all incontinent products are the same. Trial and error resulted in finding the brand and size that worked best for my dad. We settled on a brand that several nursing homes use. I then ordered them in bulk online to save money. In our situation we had to use overnight both day and night. Toileting every 2 hours helped. Order water proof chair pads and mattress protectors.
We used an adult version of the diaper genie to help with odor control. My husband enjoys hunting so he alerted me of a laundry product and room spray called Dead Down Wind. Don’t laugh. It works.
If you are a caregiver long enough you may face adult diapers. I was in a support meeting years ago and met two incredible women. They were both in their 80’s and the sole caregivers for their husbands. I smiled to myself when I heard them discuss how shaving cream helps clean dried poop off easily. The idea was planted in my brain and I saved it in case I ever needed it.
Now, how do I find a word for the day, song for the day and prayer for the day for this post? Hmm, this may require another cup of coffee and potty break.
Word for Today
Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold. Proverbs 3:13-14
Song for Today
ok…I must confess. I was amazed at all of the potty training songs videos. My poor children didn’t have all of these fun videos and songs. I had to include just one to make you smile.
This song is a reminder that even when things get tough and the night is long our hope lives on!
Prayer for Today
Our heavenly Father,
You alone know the struggles we will face as caregivers. We ask that you give us wisdom to understand what our loved one needs. Watching them regress makes us aware of just how many life skills they lose. Help us to treat them with dignity and honor even when we must provide even the most basic of care such as with a babe.
When our hearts ache and long to have them as they once were we will cling to our hope in you that lives on. We praise you for this hope that helps us carry on.
Amen
Walking Them Home 