Follow
Share

During the day & evening he always asks, "Where do I go pee?" I tell him and sometimes have to show him. During the night if I don't hear him get up he will sometimes go on the carpet. When I hear him I tell him to go in the bathroom and direct him. Sometimes he leaves a puddle on the floor not realizing he should go in the toilet. I've tried putting puppy pads on the floor, but he trips on them. I now resort to having towels around the toilet bowl and if there is a puddle elsewhere well then I just have to clean it up. Anyone else dealing with this? He has Alzheimer's now for about 8 years. I am his only caregiver.

Yes ...... my husband needs to be guided to the bathroom more and more. If he gets up in the middle of the nite and I don't hear him he sometimes goes on the rug in front of the double sinks (toilet is separate with shower area). I just ordered a washable 3 x 5 rug for that area so that at least I can wash that. The toilet area gets soiled as he misses the toilet, I guess. I clean it up as soon as I notice it. Very stressful and still shocking what he is starting to do more and more ....... hide things, doesn't sometimes know how to get to the refrigerator or open the freezer compartment. Just very sad to see him deteriorate. I pray everyday for strength, endurance and to STAY CALM. Very difficult.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to MtVNY50
Report

Maybe some automated guidance to the bathroom would help.

https://youtu.be/y3b49IJ7_RU?si=sPCvKpP2yz25QUt9 

https://www.techenhancedlife.com/solutions/dementia-bed-minder
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to faengelm
Report

It looks like he now needs 100% toileting supervision. Start with disposable underware and get one of those chair or bed alarms for when he gets up. You can also try to get him to the toilet on a schedule
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to MACinCT
Report

geelo11: Perhaps you can try a bedside commode. Bear in mind, he may require residence in a managed care facility.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to Llamalover47
Report

For me, incontinence issues were one of the reasons I had move from my house to AL. That is just too much to deal with, IMHO! Have you considered placing him? Will he wear pullups? You have to be getting very burnt out and barely getting any sleep. I feel so bad!
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to againx100
Report

We have resorted to using a condom catheter at night. They are quite easy to apply and then he can just urinate and stay in bed. In our case it has been a game changer. We have utilized them during the day for walks or appointments. It is worth a try.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to Buddycare
Report

You might want to try laying down a plastic tarp with interlocking foam tiles on top. He will not pee on the carpet but on something washable. The foam tiles are also soft underfoot for better footing. You might also want to consider getting him a urinal to use during the day and evening. Incontinence undergarments are probably also a wise investment for this stage of his disease.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Taarna
Report

I'm sorry if this has been mentioned, have you tried a urinal cup, like they give in the hospital? You can get them at drug stores or Amazon. I did that for my Dad when he was having falls in the middle of the night trying to get to the bathroom. He kept it by his bed and emptied it himself in the morning.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Bren11
Report

You are taking on a difficult task, caring for your husband with dementia. I commend you! (and a big hug to you). Unfortunately, people with dementia can't learn new things and forget many of the old things. He may not change his behavior. Put incontinence pads under him in the bed. would he wear adult "astronaut" diapers at night, and would he feel comfortable urinating in the diaper? Then just dispose of them in the morning (cut them off, some can be ripped off on the sides). He will need to be cleaned up with wipes. Also, take care of yourself so that you don't get caregiver burnout. Connect with your state's Department of Aging or a local social worker to make sure that he (and you) are getting all of the benefits you are entitled to. He may be eligible to get a part-time caregiver who can watch over him at night and help with bathing and dressing him in the morning (and cleaning up). You may be eligible to get someone to help with cleaning and other household chores. All the best to you and your husband.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to NancyIS
Report

One more…… we leave the bathroom light on all night so hopefully he’s drawn that direction.😊
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to Ltracy
Report

So sorry you are dealing with this. We have the same issue with my dad. Because of dementia/Alz, it makes most of the obvious options not helpful. My dad hates the depends type underwear of any kind. If he can he takes them off & hides them. If he can’t get them off, once they are wet & uncomfortable, he pulls all of the insides out of them & there’s a mess everywhere. Because of his broken brain he doesn’t always let us change his clothes, sleeps in his day clothes, etc. it may be a couple days before we can get him to change. Mind you, this is a very mellow, easy going man. Loving & appreciative, not difficult usually.
Also, he definitely would not remember to use a urinal or bedside toilet……at least not for what it’s supposed to be used for. 🤪
Anyway, several things that have helped us some are 1) we put arrows on the floor from his side of the bed to his bathroom door & into the toilet with red duct tape. (Shorter dashes & then the arrow as you get to the bathroom.) 2) a bathroom sign on the bathroom door 3) once he’s in the bathroom, a red toilet seat (we read that sometimes with dementia patients they can’t make out things in a room of all one similar color so make the toilet seat a distinct color from everything else)

My dad still has accidents, but they are fewer than before, especially on the carpet. Most are at least in the bathroom now. Hope at least one of these things help you as well.
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to Ltracy
Report

Not very helpful!
diwners!!
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to josiegs8
Report
lealonnie1 Jan 24, 2024
What's your useful, non- "diwner" suggestion for the OP???
(1)
Report
See 1 more reply
Gee, I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this. Dementia just sucks for everyone.

My grandmother thought that our green shag carpet was the grass and our brown furniture was trees. We could never stop her from peeing behind the tree. She would shoosh you, because people will see her if you aren't quite.

It is truly heartbreaking to watch someone we love lose the ability to function in the world.

Hopefully a urinal or a bedside commode will help. I would also try an alarm that goes off when he stands up or gets out of bed, this will ruin your sleep but, imo, far better then cleaning carpets often.

Remember that you matter too! So be sure and find ways to take care of you while doing what you do for your husband. Hugs!
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Isthisrealyreal
Report

I'm surprised no one has mentioned a urinal. It can easily be kept at the bedside and it's much easier than a commode. He barely has to get out of bed, he can sit on the side and use it. Do you think he would be capable? It certainly seems like a good idea to try.
My DH has difficulty walking, not dementia, and he uses a combo of Depends plus a urinal for night time.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Moondancer
Report
funkygrandma59 Jan 20, 2024
You're right Moondancer, I forgot about mentioning a urinal. I had to use one with my late husband when he was getting up every hour on the hour to pee, and was a fall risk, so I had to get up with him.
But because my husband was paralyzed on his right side and had essential tremors in his left arm/hand, I was the one still that had to get up and hold the urinal for him so I didn't have pee all over the bed.
If the OP's husband can't remember where to pee now, I'm not sure he would remember to use the urinal, or the bedside commode, or anything else.
Sad but true.
(0)
Report
See 1 more reply
Do you think that putting a commode in the corner would help. It can be lowered. Really he should be wearing Depends.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

Can you not just have him wear Depends(or the like) and tell him not to worry about where the bathroom is and just pee in his "underwear"(Depends)?
At least for overnight.
Either that or you can try placing a bedside commode right next to his bed, but there is no guarantee that he will know what it's for, and you still risk pee all over the floor/carpet.
When my late husband(who had vascular dementia)got to where he was missing the toilet with his pee, I made him sit down to pee. Yes I made him. And eventually he got used to it and did it automatically.
But very long story short, his incontinence got much worst and eventually he had to get a supra pubic catheter, which made both of our lives much better/easier.
But also do know that incontinence is often the straw that will break the camels back and when a loved one needs to be placed. Only you can decide just how much more you can put up with or tolerate without your health being affected.
I hope you will know what your limitations are.
Best wishes.
Helpful Answer (8)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report

This seems obvious, but does he really need to get to the toilet to pee? How about a bucket by the bed?
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to MargaretMcKen
Report
Southernwaver Jan 19, 2024
Adult incontinent underwear?
(3)
Report
You can’t help him in any way with this. It’s his Alzheimer’s . You aren’t missing anything or doing anything wrong.

What is your plan for when you can’t caregive for him anymore because his needs overwhelm your abilities? You are nearly there, so I hope you have a plan in place. What you are doing isn’t going to work for much longer.
Helpful Answer (12)
Reply to Southernwaver
Report

When this happens, many if not most people decide it's time for 24/7 care in a facility.

Incontinence in the home is awful. Everything starts to smell. You'll have to replace carpet and pad right down to the flooring, which, if it's wood, soaks up urine and poop. No getting rid of the odor. No point in trying.
Helpful Answer (9)
Reply to Fawnby
Report
Southernwaver Jan 19, 2024
Usually they have to rip out the floor and treat the sub floor or cement under it. Urine is so destructive.
(4)
Report
See 1 more reply
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter