How to manage ostomy care and dementia? Suggestions?
I don’t know all the details, but my 92 y/o mother-in-law had surgery for ulcerative colitis, this was in ‘71 or 2, at The Cleveland Clinic, and so has lived with an ostomy bag for over 50 years. And she has done well, she is physically well (walks up/down a flight of stairs twice or more times daily in her ALF), no looming physical health issues, but has dementia, she has gotten very forgetful in the last couple of years.
She still does the changing of her bag, but daughter has to remind her what morning it needs to be done, and goes to check that morning that she has her supplies out, etc.
The problem we’re facing is finding an ostomy care nurse anywhere, as she will not be able to do the changing/cleaning independently much longer. If we could find one to hire, or a facility that provided ostomy care, we would consider moving her. She needs a higher level of care anyway, than she gets in her ALF, we’ve hired personal CGs to be with her daily.
If anyone knows of support or a nurse trained for ostomy care in the Chicago area, we’d appreciate any information, thank you.
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Although younger (I’m 75) I worry about this for myself. I have two thoughts — if you have a local wound/ostomy clinic nearby, you might check with them for resources. Also, is there an ostomy support group in your area? You can look that up on the UOAA website (ostomy.org). There may be someone connected with the group that can help you. JSYK, you do not need an RN or WOCN specifically to help, but someone that understands ostomies and can change her apppliance in the way she’s been doing it. Good luck!
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4 Reactions@katieliz, I hope you saw the helpful tips from @suesewsco. I changed the title of your discussion to reflect your question and added the question to the Caregivers: Dementia support group as well.
I agree with Sue that your mother-in-law may not need an ostomy nurse, but certainly someone who understands ostomy care. You MIL seems to be doing well. You are wise to think ahead.
The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) has an outpatient ostomy services directory that you can search for services by city, state or zip code. See here https://www.ostomy.org/outpatient-ostomy-services-locator/
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