Okay, does anyone else have to explain to their bedridden LO it is okay to relieve themselves in their diaper over and over? Also, she says she wants to get up and go use the bathroom but when it comes to actually doing she says she can’t do it, because she can’t she is bedridden. I am going to lose it pretty soon if we go through this “routine” much longer. It’s a constant issue!
I think it's the gel compress making the difference, but we need it to get the swelling down. After a distraction, she often goes to sleep.
I understand your frustration with repeating this conversation. My mother has short term memory problems and occasionally asks for help getting up to pee every 4 minutes or so. I've learned distraction is the quickest way out of this repeat pattern. I turn on some music (usually hymns) and get Mom singing or the TV to an old movie Mom likes or a Lucy or Andy Griffin comedy (streaming services make this much easier). Sometimes a slideshow on a digital photo frame will distract too, but that doesn't seem to work as well as singing or watching TV.
It's funny mom has dementia but only goes on herself when others do not take her in a routine type manner. During the day, we use to give up to three visits before leaving for the day and we had no issues. It was when we went down in visits that bedsores and other issues started to happen.
I don’t have experience with tons of different elders, but with experience of both ways, the on yourself just made for way, way more cleanup. I hated it!
I pray you find a happy medium.
Anyone have an answer to that?
Explaining that the most important thing is to keep them safe, seemed to be a great tool. Keeping in mind that wearing personal protection (depends) is just one way to achieve this. More important that these need changed as often as possible, otherwise your loved one can end up with UTI (Urinary Track Infections) . This problem can end up being what ends life. I hope this helps. Asking your loved one to help you with these changes retains some dignity. Patience, patience and patience is a vital part to accepting the challenges for yourself as well as your loved ones. Not to mention setting an example for those who may one day be faced with many responsibilities for another humans life. 🌸❤️🦋❤️🌸
Earlybird -
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Should have thought of this earlier: try this link
https://www.rehabmart.com/post/how-to-choose-the-best-patient-lift-sling
Lots of good clear advice on there.
If you weren't given the right manual with your Hoyer lift (sometimes the slings come from other suppliers and the manuals go astray), you should be able to:
find the exact make and model of the slings you're using on their labels
type that into Google
look in the results for instruction manuals or booklets or downloads
When you've located the right brand and type, you will be able to see diagrams which show you how to position the leg straps correctly for "dignity" or "toileting/toilet transfers." It's really just a matter of strategic positioning; plus in the toileting set-up you or the caregiver need to watch your mother's legs to make sure they don't waggle around and hit something while she's being hoisted and transferred. No physical strength required, you just lay your hand on them gently and keep them still.
If she will be sitting on the commode, you will also want to position her upright when she is being hoisted. Again, this is explained in the manual: depending on which loops the hooks go in, the person is more or less perpendicular once raised from the bed.
When lowering, as you have two people there, one person should lower while the other keeps watch on how your mother's body is settling into position. Have a key word - "stop" is good! - so that you can pause the operation to make minor adjustments, if necessary. A common problem, for example, is being a bit too far back so that the person's spine is pressed uncomfortably against the commode's back. Practice makes perfect, it's only a matter of a little tweak here and there.
I practised on myself! - could you and the assistant takes turns? :)
People who can't get out of bed, or can't get out of bed quickly enough to get to the toilet/commode, or for someone to bring them a bedpan - these people are not incontinent. If they say they need to use the bathroom, they need help to "use the bathroom" by whatever method is best for them. Which won't be wetting or soiling themselves in a diaper.
If the person can stand at all, transfers are doable.
If the person can sit and slide himself or herself, transfers are doable.
God bless occupational therapists!
What prevents your mother from getting out of bed? (I'm not challenging, this is a genuine question - to which there may be a solution).
A Sit to Stand requires the person be transferred be able to stand and support weight as well as hold on to the hand hold area.
If she bear a bit of weight and hold on a Sit to Stand might work but the Hoyer is easier.