My husband (stage 6) now has the first additional illness since dx. It's "just" a cold--but wow, how it has thrown him off. I knew that anything else combined with dementia makes everything worse; however, I didn't expect: refusing to use the bathroom; refusing to take pills (spit them out); refusing to remove wet disposable underwear; anger, etc. (He was in such a state this morning, he deliberately locked me out of the house. Good thing our aide was here.)
Fortunately, the underwear I already have on him are way more absorbant than he really needs under normal circumstances (Super Plus) and were able to barely make it from last night at 9 to this afternoon at 1, when he finally cooperated and agreed to be changed. Also, luckily, I had a pill crusher in the house, had already found out which pills are allowed to be crushed, and had pudding to mix them with. I also had disposable pads that I'm using on top of the sheets in case the under-sheet pad and waterproof mattress cover aren't enough during this (hopefully temporary) ordeal.
So my point is, it doesn't hurt to keep disposable underwear on hand, even if your loved one doesn't ordinarily need them; have the waterproof bedding available or on the bed in advance; get a pill crusher and find out if any pills shouldn't be crushed, and have applesauce or pudding handy to mix them in.
I would be interested in hearing other suggestions anyone has.
its hard to fathom the changes that another illness or infection can bring on top of AD, marilyn. it turns into helter-skelter. i have had so many uti in the past and ongoing that its to where i can look at the gaze my DH has and know something isnt right and hes got something going on. even a very very minimum temp can cause dramatic changes. the few abilities he has left disappear until he is back to 'normal'. so yes we never know when another illness can set in and cause havoc. the things you posted are exactly as it is. major personality changes and functions diminish within hrs. having all the products on hand would be a good investment just in case. divvi
ps, i would suggest having one of those temp scan thermometers and not the kind you put under tongue or armpit. they will bite them inhalf and then real problems. when they are unruly they may not consent to being messed with.
Marilyn, great suggestions and information. The only other thing I would add is make sure you have a spare key to get back into the house! Based on another discussion regarding disposable underwear, I decided to buy some when they go on sale at the local supermarket, just in case we find out unexpectedly that DH needs them. Since he is not yet incontinent I'm not sure which size/brand will be the best fit but I decided it was worth the expense to have some in the house if things turn for the worse. Luckily we have not had the problems you've had with a cold.
LFL, I bought some disposable underwear "just in case" too. But, so far, the ones I've bought (he did try them on!), are too short from waist down. Got samples of various kinds - but all too short. He's 6'1", weighs 210. Now I don't know what to try.
divvi--I bought that temperature scanning thermometer this winter when my husband was in a terrible state, before his medication adjustment. I certainly could envision him biting through a thermometer as wacky as he was at that point.
LFL--I do have a spare key to the outside doors hidden, but today he locked our sunroom door, which is just a slider with a latch. Funny things is, unless he is worked up and all the neurons are firing, I don't think he can figure out how to lock it. I'm just going to avoid going in there when he's in a bad mood. He also walked over to me and tweaked me on the boob--glad it wasn't the aide! He was like a spoiled brat! You don't know whether to laugh or cry. On the underwear, I started him off on the Target store brand (maybe called Assurance)? They make a unisex one that is very thin, medium on the absorbancy scale--called Extra, I think--and it worked well. At that point he didn't like the Walmart brand (Super Plus) because it was noticeably bulkier than his regular underwear. But as time went on, I was able to switch to the thicker one with no problem.