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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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If she's incontinent then she already knows right? So are you wanting to tell her to use Depends or something then? Is this a new development for her? If she's as proud as you say she is, then why is she not taking precautions already? I would think that would be something she want to take care of so no one would know. I don't get it I guess.
Stigmas are all around us, and living with incontinence plunges you into the midst of one of the most stigmatized health conditions. Some stigmatized conditions will automatically “out” you to the public, such as a facial disfigurement. Those with incontinence, however, have the ability to pass in society as normal.” While this may seem like a blessing to the outside world, passing isn’t all fun and games. It means deciding who to tell and figuring out clever ways to disguise the condition when you deem necessary. The pressure is felt by even the best passer, because you know that at any time an accident can unwittingly “out” you.
For some people, dealing with the stigma of incontinence can be more overwhelming than dealing with the medical condition itself. Luckily, there are some ways to handle the situation that will help the sufferer survive this. The first step to overcoming stigma is to seek treatment despite it.
Incontinence is first and foremost a medical condition and should be treated as such. Isolating oneself because of incontinence will only feed the stigma, so it's crucial to find supportive friends/family and keep living life. Not being afraid to educate others about our condition is also important. Many people tend to make inappropriate comments only because they don’t know the consequences and implications. Once you explain yourself, many people will become understanding and sensitive. You or I alone can’t stop our society from stigmatizing incontinence. But if we each make an effort to live fully and educate each other, the stigma iceberg will slowly melt away.
Let her know she's not alone, that incontinence is often a part of aging that we must learn to accept and live with, and that no matter what your love for her will never change.
Yea, I think my Mom is dealing with incontinence. Not too sure though. She goes thru tons of toilet paper which we are always cleaning out the washer and dryer. She won't let us do her laundry. I just don't know what else she would be using so much TP for. Not sure how to approach it either. It would just be one more thing to remind her that she is aging. She is fighting it, in her mind, and does not admit to many things that are happening to her.
Very recnetly I and other familiy members (and probably friends too polite to comment) have noticed that sometimesm y mother has a strong urine odor. It has been sporadic. Then 2 days ago my cousin noticed a wet spot on a chair that my mother had just vacated. My mother appears unaware ot the problem, but I believe she's in denial. We both struggle with getting along as we are very different. Therefore, the idea of talking with her about this problem isn't easy. I was looking for some thoughts on how to do so. naheaton - The only thing you were right about is that you don't get it. Your comments were very unhelpful and judgmental. Ed - Thank you so much! Your thoughts and information have made me feel much more prepared to have this difficult conversation. Again, thank you for your insight. Amy
Arm, First of all in your original post, it sounded like your mother was aware of the incontinence, but you were wanting to talk to her about it. That's why I couldn't understand the problem, if she was dealing with it privately, were you wanting to help her some way?
naheaton, My question merely indicated that I was trying to figure out how to talk with my mother, nothing more. Perhaps more detail would have helped you to frame a better response. It's a moot point now, but thank you.
I have this issue with my dad, too, at times when his leg issues turn into infection in blood issues, which cause incontinence somehow... my dad is really independent, very proud, a young sprout at 72! He doesn't like to hear about his aging issues. My dad doesn't like to hear of such stuff from his daughter either, he potty trained me after all. One thing I did, was I told his doctor about it over the phone. The next time my dad saw his doctor, I had his doctor bring it up while we were there. It was okay then, to talk about it because it was the doctor speaking to my dad, not me. The doctor suggested a portable urinal chair for my dad's private space, his bedroom room and a hand held urinal for him too. I got him both, he uses both but won't let me in his room to clean them - he takes care of that and his home care provider does too. The doctor suggested incontinence pads for my dad's bed - he does use them, but will not use pull ons or personal pads in his briefs. Since his problem is off/on again, it's his decision and his choice of the chair/hand held urinal and bed pads the doctor suggested to him seem to work for my dad right now.
It's a subject I didn't mind speaking with my dad about, but it is a subject I knew he would have an issue speaking with me about. His doctor bringing it up really helped. Hoped this helps!
Before my mom had her stroke, she was having a lot of accidents. I was cleaning up behind her about a year before she actually became sick.
Both my sister and I suggested she wear Depends but she always refused so we stopped talking to her about it. She would call me extremely early asking me to come over and clean up, I'd go every time. When I did her washing, her undergarments were so sour I'd have to air and clean out her dirty clothes hamper each time I washed.
After constantly cleaning the stains in the carpet in her room, and in the hallway headed towards the bathroom, the bathroom, and my car, she finally thought it a good idea to start wearing the Depends. She started out wearing them at night, then progressed to day and night.
It's a touchy subject because our parents do not want to lose their independence but it's something that must be done delicately.
After a while that pride has got to go out the window.
So far, I think Mom is hiding it. It is not obvious yet. I do believe she is using tp that way instead of buying depends. I wish I knew how to ask her...all the tp is going to clog up the washer and dryer one of these days. I guess one of these days I will ask if this has become an issue for her and if she needs help. There does not seem to be any easy way.
Pamela, I know about that sour smell. Kept encouraging mom to handle the situation, she was a retired nurse, for heaven's sake but her stubborness (because I said it) always "allowed" her to drag her feet. Finally told her if I found any more wet undies in the hamper, I was throwing them in the trash because I took her laundry to my house to wash. My threat and follow through, and the fact that my 30 something son went to visit and wound up having to help his grandma when she had an accident pushed her to get the Depends. It had nothing to do with losing independence or growing old, she'd had bladder probs for a zillion yrs. It was her stubborn streak, plain and simple, because I was trying to get her to do something that wasn't her idea first. If the garbage man had told her to get Depends, she would've bought a case just to spite me!!!
melmil & pamela - Thanks so much for sharing. In some way it just helps to know that there are other people out there struggling with the same issues and trying their best to help their aging parent(s). I thought about the doctor thing, but my mother just saw her doctor a couple of weeks ago and her next appointment isn't until July. It seems that I'm simply going to have to figure out how to bring it up with her myself and see what her reaction is. Last night we were at a family get-together, and she had obviously showered and washed her hair and there was no problem. The fact that it's sporadic makes it harder in a way, but I want to help her deal with this issue before it becomes worse.
My mom has developed moderate incontinence and her doctor prescribed Vesicare three years ago (she's almost 85). It helped in the beginning (5 mg daily) but recently the incontinence has increased. She goes through tons of tp also, because she doesn't like using Depends or Poise. She will use Depends now, but adds folded tp for extra coverage. Though I had repeatedly asked her not to use paper towels as a stop-gap, she continued until she stopped up the plumbing for the third time. At that point I called the plumber (again--he's on speed dial) and asked her to pay for it. She was furious with me, but stopped for now.
At her most recent doctor's visit the subject came up and he said she could increase the Vesicare to 10 mg daily. It seems to be helping. Mama is very, very private and also does her own laundry, so it's hard to tell. However, I have tried to tactfully have the difficult conversation about urine smell in her clothing and offered to include her laundry when doing mine. She doesn't believe me, but she's afraid enough that it may be possible that she does her laundry a little more often.
I try to be light and easy-breezy when I mention it, saying I've asked my husband and children to let me know should I need to freshen up in my old age, and not to let me smell. Part of it is definitely that Mama's sense of smell is virtually gone. She drank sour milk in her coffee yesterday (I discovered it and dumped it this morning, but realized it had been bad for a day or so) and didn't realize it. That's a big part of the problem. If I'm doing a bleach load of laundry, I ask her if she has anything which needs to be bleached. She used to always say no, but now she will bring me a few items. So she's trying, but it's been a three-year uphill climb to get this far. What's interesting is that my grandmother (father's mom) lived with my parents for a few months and had a similar problem. It drove my mom crazy at the time, but now she's doing the same things. So the dementia obviously reduces recognition of a known concern.
Another issue that I've noticed is a fear of slipping/falling in the tub/shower comes with age, so loved ones stop bathing as much as they once did. My grandmother, father, mom, and mother-in-law have all had this occur. We're in the process of making sure the tub has lots of handrails.
I have a similar problem with my 89 year old mother. She refuses to wear depends during the day. My sister-in-law took her to a Dr. Appt. Yesterday and mother wet her pants n the car. She then tried to hide the fact. Her granddaughter is having Thanksgiving dinner at her house and doesn't know how to tell Grandma not to pee on her bed and carpet. What can we do to convince her she needs to wear depends all the time?
I have a similar problem with my 89 year old mother. She refuses to wear depends during the day. My sister-in-law took her to a Dr. Appt. Yesterday and mother wet her pants n the car. She then tried to hide the fact. Her granddaughter is having Thanksgiving dinner at her house and doesn't know how to tell Grandma not to pee on her bed and carpet. What can we do to convince her she needs to wear depends all the time?
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Stigmas are all around us, and living with incontinence plunges you into the midst of one of the most stigmatized health conditions. Some stigmatized conditions will automatically “out” you to the public, such as a facial disfigurement. Those with incontinence, however, have the ability to pass in society as normal.” While this may seem like a blessing to the outside world, passing isn’t all fun and games. It means deciding who to tell and figuring out clever ways to disguise the condition when you deem necessary. The pressure is felt by even the best passer, because you know that at any time an accident can unwittingly “out” you.
For some people, dealing with the stigma of incontinence can be more overwhelming than dealing with the medical condition itself. Luckily, there are some ways to handle the situation that will help the sufferer survive this. The first step to overcoming stigma is to seek treatment despite it.
Incontinence is first and foremost a medical condition and should be treated as such. Isolating oneself because of incontinence will only feed the stigma, so it's crucial to find supportive friends/family and keep living life. Not being afraid to educate others about our condition is also important. Many people tend to make inappropriate comments only because they don’t know the consequences and implications. Once you explain yourself, many people will become understanding and sensitive. You or I alone can’t stop our society from stigmatizing incontinence. But if we each make an effort to live fully and educate each other, the stigma iceberg will slowly melt away.
Let her know she's not alone, that incontinence is often a part of aging that we must learn to accept and live with, and that no matter what your love for her will never change.
Always at your service,
-- ED
naheaton - The only thing you were right about is that you don't get it. Your comments were very unhelpful and judgmental.
Ed - Thank you so much! Your thoughts and information have made me feel much more prepared to have this difficult conversation. Again, thank you for your insight.
Amy
My dad doesn't like to hear of such stuff from his daughter either, he potty trained me after all.
One thing I did, was I told his doctor about it over the phone. The next time my dad saw his doctor, I had his doctor bring it up while we were there. It was okay then, to talk about it because it was the doctor speaking to my dad, not me.
The doctor suggested a portable urinal chair for my dad's private space, his bedroom room and a hand held urinal for him too. I got him both, he uses both but won't let me in his room to clean them - he takes care of that and his home care provider does too.
The doctor suggested incontinence pads for my dad's bed - he does use them, but will not use pull ons or personal pads in his briefs. Since his problem is off/on again, it's his decision and his choice of the chair/hand held urinal and bed pads the doctor suggested to him seem to work for my dad right now.
It's a subject I didn't mind speaking with my dad about, but it is a subject I knew he would have an issue speaking with me about. His doctor bringing it up really helped. Hoped this helps!
Both my sister and I suggested she wear Depends but she always refused so we stopped talking to her about it. She would call me extremely early asking me to come over and clean up, I'd go every time. When I did her washing, her undergarments were so sour I'd have to air and clean out her dirty clothes hamper each time I washed.
After constantly cleaning the stains in the carpet in her room, and in the hallway headed towards the bathroom, the bathroom, and my car, she finally thought it a good idea to start wearing the Depends. She started out wearing them at night, then progressed to day and night.
It's a touchy subject because our parents do not want to lose their independence but it's something that must be done delicately.
After a while that pride has got to go out the window.
At her most recent doctor's visit the subject came up and he said she could increase the Vesicare to 10 mg daily. It seems to be helping. Mama is very, very private and also does her own laundry, so it's hard to tell. However, I have tried to tactfully have the difficult conversation about urine smell in her clothing and offered to include her laundry when doing mine. She doesn't believe me, but she's afraid enough that it may be possible that she does her laundry a little more often.
I try to be light and easy-breezy when I mention it, saying I've asked my husband and children to let me know should I need to freshen up in my old age, and not to let me smell. Part of it is definitely that Mama's sense of smell is virtually gone. She drank sour milk in her coffee yesterday (I discovered it and dumped it this morning, but realized it had been bad for a day or so) and didn't realize it. That's a big part of the problem. If I'm doing a bleach load of laundry, I ask her if she has anything which needs to be bleached. She used to always say no, but now she will bring me a few items. So she's trying, but it's been a three-year uphill climb to get this far. What's interesting is that my grandmother (father's mom) lived with my parents for a few months and had a similar problem. It drove my mom crazy at the time, but now she's doing the same things. So the dementia obviously reduces recognition of a known concern.
Another issue that I've noticed is a fear of slipping/falling in the tub/shower comes with age, so loved ones stop bathing as much as they once did. My grandmother, father, mom, and mother-in-law have all had this occur. We're in the process of making sure the tub has lots of handrails.
Hoping to help.