My husband, how in the ALF for 3 weeks is now been wearing a very bulky kind of diaper thingy, that hangs pretty low. He still is trying to use the bathroom, but it is hard for him to negotiate. He get himself we when using the toilet. I want to get him something that fits better. What kind of products do people recommend when a person still wants to use the bathroom by himself.
depends has come out with a newer brieflike model that mimics real mens underwear in brief styles. but still has some protection. i would try those as they can be pulled down easily.
I forgot to mention, yesterday he wore these diapers that open on the side so they can be pulled off easily. I guess it makes it easier for them to change him (although he wasn't incontinent before he got to the ALF).
When my husband starting being incontinent at times, divvi recommended the Tena brand of pull-ups. They are softer & fit better. There are also adjustable Depends.
They have men's diapers that have elastic on the waste, are open on the sides and have the 'diaper' that just goes down the middle. These are the ones the VA sent for my bil all the time and about their only worth was for extra padding in a whole diaper.
I have been using the open sided diapers for my DH to help with the rash he has on his inner thighs. This gives protection during the day while not rubbing the irritated skin. The problem is that the elastic that comes with the package is only one set so if they get wet, I wash them and put the pad inside his cotton underpants which also is nice and soft and does not irritate the skin issue.
DH got a red spot on inner thigh from -- I believe -- when I was not diligent enough about having him change. After about 3 days with 2x daily treatment of Cortizone 10 it completely cleared up, redness gone along with discomfort.
I have tried Depends, Tena and a generic product but nothing has worked and my husband is soaked by the middle of the night. He also has a terrible rash in the groin, got it while in hospital. I had it just about cleared when he went for surgery and it's back. My doctor suggested I dry the area well with a hair dryer before I put on the cream. I do that but of course the wetness is back in no time. It's very frustrating for me though my husband surprisingly never complains. I'm going to search the internet to see if there is something better.
While working with incontinent kids in braces we found putting unscented powder on dried skin before a barrier cream we got much better results. The cream stuck better and didn't hold moisture against the skin.
I had this on a separate section but will repeat it as I think these will really help. After being so tired of my dh being wet in the morning plus the wet top sheet, I discoverd Moliform pads. They are a very absorbant pad (no sides) that I put into an inexpensive pull on. After several days of experimenting, I found that the Depends pull ups with tape sides made the pant tight to keep the Moliform in place and my dh has been dry in the mornings (yeah). As my dh also has prostate issues he pees a lot. The moliforms that we get hold 60 oz of liquid (the purple ones) and it stays in the pad (I tried with water and then tried to wring the water out and it wouldn't come out). This means to me that my dh's skin stays drier as well. I was so worried about him being wet when the colder weather comes around and am relieved to find the moliforms (they have different ones depending on the amout of liquid you need to hold). I found the Depends by accident - I bought the wrong ones. But now I find they work really well and I can get them at WalMart. The moliform pads have to be shipped and I have to get them by the case (120/cs). I don't mind as they come within two days of my order. It meant I had to search for a good price. With these pads , I don't have to add other pads at night. So in the long run, they are at least the same price as I don't have to add all the other pads and are more comfortable for my dh.
DW has had 2 accidents in the past week. She normally wears pad and that takes cares of urine. I have suggested that she go to Depends and says no way. I want to buy something to have on hand. What would you suggest?
I have noticed DW is going to the bathroom more, is that a sign that she is loosing control?
Thanks Joan...brindle, I'm going to search for moliforms. There is a molicare brief in the catalog from HDIS but didn't see moliforms or moliform pads. Thanks!
My husband has started ripping up the depends and puts them in the toilet. I've had a 2:30 a.m. session where I had to dig out all the gel stuff that was in the toilet. A couple of times in the day (no fun with no. 2). Does anyone else have this problem? When would the sewer system clog up? Not sure I get it all out. My DH is incontinent yet also goes to the bathroom very frequently and independently. I guess he doesn't like the bulk and thinks it is a pad he can just take out. Sometimes his pants get wet when he urinates and we some days we have to change pants a couple of times. I can't put on any pajama pants in the night because they would also get wet. This is a hard phase. Wanting to be independent, needing depends that have to be changed, getting pants wet, and ripping things apart. Anyone else have that problem?
This problem may be starting with DH. Has anyone used the Wearever Incontinence brief with fly front - also washable? No problems at night-yet - just want to make sure he is somewhat protected during the day at DC. These seem to be easier for him to have access to.
Vickie I had never heard of it but the only way to know is to try it! its always better to get them into something before it becomes a big issue. let us know if you like it. collective tried and trues are always best:) divvi
Have ordered a pkg of 3, divvi - free shipping. Will let you know what I think of them. He has been wearing the Tenas for a few days - hasn't really needed them, but he's agreeable, so thought I'd keep it up, but when I saw these, I felt they might be better for him now - and they are washable and look just like regular underwear. Will see how they are.
divvi, they are great! They fit much better than any of the pull-ups and I've tried them all. However, they are not for heavy pee. Of course you could still put an additional pad in them. These are just like his regular shorts, soft, knit, 50/50 cotton polyester; the built in pad is 80 rayon, 20 polyester. Fly front just like regular underwear - and completely washable!
glad you like them! mine is way too advanced to use that now but its good you tried it out and others can follow that bit of advice. not that any of us want to have to use these:)
I haven't posted for quite a while. Seems like things are going downhill.
When I saw that dh was "leaking just a little, I got Depends for him right away. He didn't complain about wearing them but didn't like the idea of changing when it was necessary. It wasn't long before the "leaking" turned into full-fledged soaker. Not always but we had to be prepared. One day he wouldn't change the depend, sat on sofa in den. When he got up, there was a big wet spot. I worked on the spot but odor remained. DIL told me to go to Petsmart and buy a bottle of "Nature's Miracle" and saturate the spot. It really worked. I won't be without that stuff now.
I didn't want the work of always washing the waterproof mattress pad so I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and they sell a waterproof, washable pad, about 36" x 36". That covers his side of the bed with a flat sheet over it. I notice at daycare they have quilted waterproof pads in different colors for the patients to sit on. I went online and will get a couple so we are protected.
In April I looked into a residential facility not far from the house which does respite, daycare. They have 6 permanent patients. I take dh on Tues and Thurs for 4 hours. It isn't as structured as some daycare places but dh seems okay there. He was never a puzzle doer, card player, etc. On Thurs. someone brings several dogs and dh really enjoys that. This week dh refused to go on Tues. I wanted him to change his clothes and he wouldn't. Nothing I could do but keep him home. DH goes from 11 am to 3 pm. First couple times he went I just came home, took a nap, made necessary phone calls, etc. Now I do a little more for me.
In two weeks, our son and family are coming to visit from Kansas City. I know they will notice a big change in Dad. I am sure it is safe to say this is probably the last summer Dad is here in the house. My health isn't that great and I know dh will require more care. No family nearby. I am thankful he isn't agressive, mild mannered and doesn't wander.
May God watch over us. We sure need it. Most of you have wings and permanent halos.
I used some I got from Wal-Mart one day because I needed them for Kathryn suddenly. They were called "Assure". They turned out to be the best of all the different ones I tried. They were priced well and went on like any normal pair of underpants. I didn't tell her what they were Just when I helped her dress one day I replaced her regular underpants with them and she never said anything. Hospice offered me a few different kinds which would have been free thru them but I would not change from the Assure because they were doing such a good job. The only down side I saw to them was that if she had a worse than normal accident I used a pair of scissors to cut the sides for removing them.
Shirley, a great disposable pad is found in the baby section of most stores, so readily available and really great. Called "Goodnites" disposable bed mats for bedwetting kids, but they are great size 34x34 and have sticky on each corner to hold in place, I use in the bed, in chairs, on floor in front of the bed, on floor in the bathroom, made to withstand movement of a child. I won't be without them, they are that good and affordable!!
Thanks...I will get some right away. I can't believe how quickly dh went from just a little bit of leaking to full blown loss of control. Right now it is just bladder. What tires me out is arguing with him to change depends. He has always been stubborn so now it is even worse.
Shirley, have you tried using the Depends (or any brand) Mens Guards ultimate protection in the pull-ups? I have had good success with this and it keeps you from having to change the whole pull-up, you can just whip out the wet guard and stick in a new one. At night I use the Tena Overnight Pads Ultimate for extra protection, heavier soaking or if we are out and about for a longer period of time. It's really trial and error and when you think you have it......well, it changes and you have to try something else. Good luck!!
Vickie, thanks for the tip...I just ordered 3 pairs because now that DH can't walk on his own due to the broken knee cap, he is having "accidents" while at the rehab facility. While there they can use the pull ups but when he comes home I hope to have him back to using the bathroom "when nature calls" but just in case we have a transition, I thought these might be a good solution.