I'm sorry, this is a delicate subject, but I'm the daughter of a 90 year-old, ALZ father. His bathroom aim has noticeably been off for the past week or so. It's noticeable he's rushing faster to the bathroom, too. The shower door is now getting wet and the toilet lid, the under side, is splatter painted. His medications tend to make him loose, but he's getting spots now on his shorts and socks. I am wondering if incontinence is far behind. I try to pick my fights carefully with him, as I know this is one that will embarrass him and cause immediate denial, if I suggest Depends, which will also cause a problem to his skin with his loose movements.
Any suggestions? Thanks so much!
He should be changing his underwear if they become soiled, same with a disposable brief.
He may not be able to see the bowl of the toilet easily. It is white, the seat is white so I can understand how an aim can go off a bit.
Suggestion...Turn the water off to the toilet, flush so all the water goes out and then dry the bowl. Get some bright color nail polish or even a Sharpie Marker and put an "X" or a "O" on the inside of the bowl. Wait for it to dry then turn the water back on and let the toilet fill. This will give him a spot to aim for.
The mark will eventually come off when it is no longer needed it can be removed. For the longest time I had 2 "X"'s on the bathroom floor so my Husband would know where to stand when I had to change him. Worked like a charm and now that he is gone..the marks have faded and I sort of miss them.
I remember accidentally overhearing two young men, who played basketball in college, talking about how much easier it is to "sit down to pee". So if those guys can do it, so can your Dad.
There is a product on the market to clean a urinal, but I had Hibiclens for his foot anyway and discovered that just the least bit in the urinal not only cleaned it but the smell was gone. Hibiclens is Pre-Surgical Scrub (soap) and even though DH is now gone, I still have it and use it to wash my hands after touching raw meats.
RE: loose stools: if Dad is on Stool-Softener, stop it. That was what happened to my DH. Also, keep a bottle of Anti-Diarrhea pills handy as diarrhea will cause dehydration.
Get Barrier Cream for his privates - Peri-Guard is my favorite for me - it helps to prevent "diaper rash" - and if he gets a pressure sore (DH had one in his crack), I found Colloidal Silver Gel to be the only thing to heal it. Personally, I preferred the Miracle Silver brand. It will also take down a blister in about 24 hours or less. I don't know why it works on blisters, but I've been thankful : )
You're a good daughter! Bless You!!
If the stream is straight out and his aim is truly off, then disregard this message.
Are you saying that the only normal flow for a man is straight out, with no leanings to one wide or the other (or even up or down)? I have only a 1 mans experience with this as a problem, and that is me.
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