Not Incontinence but bathroom messes and clothes soiling
My wife has been rogressing along the dementia path for several years now and is clearly at Stage 5. She is NOT incontinent, but every couple of weeks she will get totally confused in the main bathroom (tile floor fortunately) and I will find her standing surrounded with poop. She wears wool clogs and I have to run them in the machine to clean after this, using OxiClean along with detergent. One time that didn't total work on odor, so I used my ozone generator in a cardboard box to treat them. Fortunately that worked. The cleanup in the bathroom is major. But even worse is that she wears nothing but dresses and has given up on underwear. Not that it would make any difference. Her current dress has dried poop on it, on the inside surfaces. Fortunately, after it is dried, it doesn't seem to smell like dog poop would. But one can make out dicoloration on the outside of the dress that hints at an issue. She absolutely refuses to change her dress or be cleaned in any manner. To the point of becoming combative if you try and force the issue. On normal days, she does wipe herself but puts the tissue in a drawer, not the toilet. That is rritating but not the wrost problem. Who knows the condition of her body when she has the big blowout. She is on Lexapro daily, and the doctor has given me Ativan to give before trying to change clothes/bathe. The last blowout was after I gave that to her, so I am nervous about trying it again. We have a caregiver come in once a week, but that company has said they can assist, but can't make her do anything. It is mostly just to visit with her (they get along great). I am at a total loss as to what to do....
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Thank you! Hugs to you as well. It is difficult. It’s almost like a club. When you live this life, it’s a unique experience. I certainly never expected anything like it. It makes me appreciate life so much and the simple things like a night out with friends.
I’m dealing with same with my mother. She and dad moved in with me 8 months ago. Mom had a bath this morning after peeing on floor in bedroom. When she was getting dressed in bedroom, she pooped on everything and needed a another bath. But we had to wait because my husband was helping my dad with his bath. Horrible morning. This kind of thing only happens a couple times a month at this point. I am going to try better to make sure she is never without a diaper outside the bathroom, but unfortunately she takes it off herself where she shouldn’t.
I am thankful I have a husband who supports us.
Man, that’s a lot! I think I mentioned up thread that there are sites that sell adaptive clothing for those who have dementia which prevents them from removing them unassisted.
I have read that incontinence is the main reason care is not maintained in the home. I would imagine it is quite distressing.
It certainly is! That is not thevonly messes cleaned up! Frustrating..but what can you do? Your best!
I’m seeking placement for my dad. In the meantime……can anyone recommend a diet to help ward off diarrhea? Daddy has recently started getting it intermittently. I have cut back his ice cream from 3-4 times a day to once a day. No more beans and limited fruit juice. Also, avoiding any sugar substitutes and fiber cereal. Can ginger ale cause diarrhea? I just can’t figure it out!
Any tips would be appreciated. He is still able to get to bathroom and clean himself, but leaves the bathroom a mess. He likes his regular boxers, but we’re putting him in pullups lately with these incidents.
His meds haven’t changed, except coming off BP meds per his doctor. After you have been on a medication for over a year, what are the chances it would suddenly cause diarrhea when it hasn’t before?
@celia16 We were always told about the BRAT diet: Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. Think they can just be added into regular diet. I just had that same problem. I peeled all fruit before eating (the peelings are full of fiber).
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352241
I didn’t see ginger ale on the no list. This contains very good info.
Do you think he’s getting dehydrated?
Thanks for the link. I think I’ve eliminated most of the potentially responsible foods. I think I’ll only serve him Lactose Free ice cream starting now. And, cut out the sweets. He loves cakes and cookies. His appetite is quite good. He loves his snacks, even though he eats good meals.
He drinks plenty of fluids. We ensure he drinks several bottles of water per day, plus a little cranberry juice no sugar added and a ginger ale. No fever.
Hi @celia16, when I was a child I had chronic diarrhea and I was on a strict diet - dry toast or saltines with jelly, pretzels, applesauce, bananas, no milk. Coke and gingerale were okay; also apple juice, but nothing else. Tea and sugar, no milk. Once I went to a friend's house, had peanut butter, and an instant reaction!
This was in the 50s. Things might have changed.
Maybe your dad should be checked for an infection. Have you spoken to your dad's doctor?
I did a search on Perplexity.ai:
To prevent diarrhea, it's best to follow a balanced diet that includes foods that are easy on the digestive system and help firm up stools. Here are some key dietary recommendations:
Foods to Include
Soluble fiber: Consume foods high in soluble fiber, which absorbs fluid and can help lessen diarrhea. Good options include:
Ripe bananas
Applesauce
Cooked potatoes (without skin)
White rice
Oatmeal
Binding foods: These help firm up stools and include:
Toast made from white bread
Plain white rice
Unseasoned crackers
Lean proteins: Opt for:
Chicken (steamed, baked, or grilled)
Fish
Lean ground beef
Eggs (scrambled)
Probiotic-rich foods: These can help maintain a healthy gut flora:
Yogurt (if not lactose intolerant)
Hydration
Stay well-hydrated by consuming:
Water
Clear broths
Oral rehydration solutions
Herbal teas
Eating Habits
Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
Consume foods at room temperature, as they may be better tolerated than hot or cold foods
Foods to Avoid
High-fiber foods: Limit intake of:
Whole grains
Raw vegetables
Nuts and seeds
Fatty and spicy foods: Avoid:
Fried foods
Sauces and gravies
Highly spiced dishes
Gas-producing foods: Steer clear of:
Carbonated drinks
Beans
Cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower
Foods with laxative effects: Avoid prunes and prune juice
By following these dietary guidelines and maintaining good hygiene practices, you can help prevent diarrhea and promote digestive health.
Thanks a lot! That’s very comprehensive and I am trying to follow it. Today was a good day and everything was normal. On track to keep the diet stable with the recommended foods.
What happened with the peanut butter?
I immediately had an attack and rushed home in dirty underwear!