incontinence

[Archiesdaughter]

Dad is becoming incontinent both with urine and #2. Any suggestions will be helpful. Hospice is sending a male healthcare attendant on Monday. What do I do in the meantime. Dad will not allow any other people into bathroom with him, but I peeked through blinds and he is sitting just wiping himself. How do you tell him its time to go to an alzheimers unit. This is killing my family.

[gizmolove]

Originally Posted by Archiesdaughter

Dad is becoming incontinent both with urine and #2. Any suggestions will be helpful. Hospice is sending a male healthcare attendant on Monday. What do I do in the meantime. Dad will not allow any other people into bathroom with him, but I peeked through blinds and he is sitting just wiping himself. How do you tell him its time to go to an alzheimers unit. This is killing my family.

Working with an Alzheimer's patient who is resistant to care is always the most difficult and frustrating thing to do. Two things help, drugs and care attitude (of the caregiver). It is not easy to gain the confidence of an Alzheimer's victum. They are resistant to care, most of the time. You need to learn care techniques that make him more responsive to your assistance. With his disease, his brain is not reacting to hygiene problems any more, like you or I would act. And, he just doesn't realise that he has a problem. Or, even if he does, he may still be quite resistant to help. It is his way to stay in control, and his way to maintain his dignity. You need to learn from the nurse, assistant techniques that can manage your care concerns in a way that will help your dad retain his dignity; and, yet accomplish his acceptance to your help with his hygiene difficulties. Work with the nurse to learn techniques that can make your dad & you more confortable.
Hope this helps,
Giz

[camachinist]

Welcome....sorry it isn't under better circumstances...

As hospice is involved, does this mean terminal diagnosis of AD or another disease? Generally, that's the case, with demise generally projected under six months.

How do you tell him its time to go to an alzheimers unit

You don't. You place him. He's mentally ill and incompetent. He likely doesn't understand what he has or what an "alzheimer's unit" is.

I know it's not easy, not for any of us, but it has to be done.

I remember, when my dad was dying of cancer, my mom helped him through all of these stages of dying. He was so co-operative and appreciative, nearly all of the time. But that was because his brain still worked right and he could comprehend the great sacrifices my mom made for his care. Unfortunately, my mom (and likely your dad) will never have such understanding. They live in another world now.

Let us know how things go and if you learn anything. I always welcome new ideas.

Best wishes!

Pat