poop on the floor - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

Martha H · 04-08-2005, 06:12 PM

I am trying to think of a title for this thread which is not so dopey sounding. But this one tells it all.

I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and begin getting ready for an early bedtime. I got up at 4 today, not bad for me, but it's 8 and I'm tired.

In the bathroom I stepped onto a glob of poop. I only noticed it when I started to stick to the floor (rug) and of course upon investigation saw both of my rubber flip flops were stained on the bottom..in the evening twilight I could not find the original culprit, but eventually did and wound up throwing away a small bath rug which had been on the floor. It was dark blue. I think I have to remove all the bathroom rugs and let the white tiled floor stay bare, at least I can see what I'm stepping in.

I scrubbed my slippers, the floor, and checked if there was any on Mom's slippers ..no ...and looked in the bedroom for any 'evidence' and finally had to tell her what I'm doing.

"I stepped into some poop in the bathroom."

" Oh, I washed out a pair of underpants."

(Gee, thanks, right in the same sink where we both have to brush our teeth.)

"So where are they? Nothing hanging over the tub."

" Oh I took them into the bedroom to dry .."

I went to look for them but they are nowhere to be found. Chances are they are still poopy.

I suggested throwaway underwear. Mom said NO. it was only an ACCIDENT.

I have already told you how she often has 'something' in her pants, and now for the 4th or 5th time, it 'escaped' onto the floor. I hate this. It smells, and is so unsanitary. Mom used to be super clean. This imposter is now going too far!

Mom saw me cleaning up and obviusly upset, and said "it's time for me to check out." I said "oh stop it, that's no way to think."

Now we are both quiet and I am venting on you ..sorry.
Another day of Dementia care. Yes, I am going to buy her some Depends. See how it works. I'll tell her wear them and throw them out as soon as anything appears, but WASH yourself too!

How long will she remember that?

My sister sent back about 20 pairs of underpants. No bizarre behavior indeed!

Sorry this is such a yucky sbject. What can be done??

Any ideas?

Love,
Martha

BarbaraH · 04-08-2005, 08:14 PM

Oh, Martha,

So much of what you're dealing with, I escaped because Mom was in assisted living by the time things were so bad and the aides there dealt with her accidents. She'd bought the "light days" pads for herself, but they were completely inadequate by the time she visited us for Christmas, 2001. I bought her Depends then and she never was back in regular underwear. She was pleased to be dry, so maybe your Mom will be, too. Hope so!

Sending many hugs and blessings - Barbara

angel_bear · 04-08-2005, 08:29 PM

I have FLATLY refused to assist in MIL's hygiene. I put my foot down early in the peace and said "I ain't doin' nappys" ... I really COULDN'T do that ... my stomach heaves at the best of times .... I would MUCH rather a pus filled wound that poop or pee .....

** shuddering at the thought **

I guess we all have our breaking point eh? LOL

Hugs
Tred Carefully
Sally

TexasCookie · 04-08-2005, 08:57 PM

Martha I feel for you. FOr the past few months my mom has been 'messing up' her underpants, along with the bathmat, floor and so forth. Until last week I THOUGHT it was diahrrea but now know that she just can't seem to control her bowels so she never makes it to the bathroom in time.

I HAD to go to Wal Mart last week to buy some groceries, I live in a small town where groceries are very high so like to go to WM every now and then. While I was there I got her a package of the depends underwear thinking maybe she'd get PO'd and agree to go to the doctor about her problem but instead she thanked me LOL.

I've also hollered loud enough now that we have a docotrs appointment this MOnday so we can talk to the doctor about upping or changing her meds. Just yesterday she started talking about one of grandsons and ended with "I wonder what he's up to now, I haven't seen him for a long time?" That grandson was killed in an auto accident about 4 years ago.

This whole thing is so scary! I'm so afraid that I will eventually be my mom and I have to wonder if ANY of my kids would do for me what I do for my mom.

LuvMyLilDoggie · 04-08-2005, 08:59 PM

Unfortunately, I have experience with this subject. Dad occasionally poops his underwear. Not big poops usually but still disgusting. He usually takes them off and throws them on his bedroom floor where I collect them when I can sneak in there. I put the rubber gloves on and rinse them really well in hot water. Then I prewash them in hot water with bleach and then do a load of his underwear and socks whether I need to or not. And then, of course, I scrub the sink and check his bedroom for, well, you know.

It's a really disgusting thing, I know. I do have a throw rug in the bathroom because in the winter, the floor is VERY cold and I don't want dad to slip coming out of the shower. But my rug is rose color so I can spot anything that shouldn't be there. It's a rug that can be washed so I vacuum it and take it to the laundromat often.

Dad won't wear Depends.

Love, Barb