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Can't find toilet, nighttime wandering
My wife has Lewy Body dementia and has started getting lost on way to bathroom in the night even though it is just through an open doorway in the bedroom. Often, when she does find her way, she is unable to find the toilet or blanks out on what she is there to do.
She'll wander the bedroom and wake me up and then i will take her to the toilet.
She is not incontinent and doesn't wear a diaper, yet. I hate to go that route because i know she will hate it and i will have to teach her how to just go in her pants.
Does anyone have a suggestion what i can do to solve this problem and get a good nights sleep?
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I started my husband on depends before he really needed them. And now they are really helpful since he doesn’t realize sometimes when he goes. So far just urinary incontinence thankfully
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2 ReactionsJust started this journey and researching
Any advise in the early days
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3 ReactionsMike 682: I understand your frustration with toileting. It may be helpful if you can take her to the bathroom just before bedtime and then again once during the night maybe 2-3 hours later and then in the morning first thing. I would also limit fluids 2-3 hours before her normal bedtime. Make sure she sits on the toilet and there is sufficient light in the bathroom. Incontinence is a common symptom of dementia. Or she may be experiencing a bladder infection that causes her to urinate frequently. I would be sure to rule out a bladder infection as this can progress into a serious condition. I would suggest that you buy her some disposable women's underwear now and tell her that you bought her some "new/special underwear." There are many brands to choose from with different levels of absorption. Please don't call it a diaper even if you see it that way. I have bought Depends for my husband as he is incontinent now but we just call it underwear. I am trying to maintain his dignity for as long as I can. Disposable underwear can help you avoid having to change the sheets if she doesn't get to the bathroom on time. You are not alone on this journey. This is a great place to get support and vent your frustrations. God bless you and your wife.
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2 Reactions@michael1951 ; Welcome to this site. It is a safe place to share what you are going through and get helpful ideas. It has certainly been a great help to me to know others are on the same journey. I would suggest that you educate yourself about dementia and the ways it affects behavior and bodily function. A great resource is the Alzheimer's website and also Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care. There I learned so much about dementia and positive ways to interact with people with dementia to avoid frustration for both of us. This knowledge has helped me separate the disease from the person I love.
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1 ReactionMy Mom has Lewy Body Dementia and I found that she would use the closet as the bathroom several times. I don't even know how she managed it but she did. It seemed that if the closet was partially open, she would go there. It was next to her bathroom. Nightlights should help - I couldn't have one in her Assisted living. I hope the previous suggestions help.
Depends also helped for a little while. But not if she pulls them down and squats in the closet.
I have found that some things are automatic but just a little scewed: Uses bathroom, pulls up pants then wipes. Since she's in a memory unity, the nurses take her ever several hours and this helps.
You could try taking him to the bathroom before bed, and the other suggestions sound good too. It's tough. Sorry.