- Don't accept incontinence as inevitable part of
illness. Get assessment form your doctor and seek treatment.
- Take the Alzheimer's person to the bathroom on a
schedule (e.g., every 2 hours) or give regular reminders.
- Be aware of non-verbal signals that the person needs
to use the bathroom.
- Keep bathroom door open, put a sign or picture on the
door to label room (e.g., picture of toilet or tub), keep well-lighted
pathway at night.
- Cover mirrors and windows if necessary. Use
privacy screen.
- Remove any obstacles; assure that clothing is easy to
remove and that there is an easy path to the bathroom.
- Consider posting a large sign reading "toilet" over
the commode, use colored rug on floor and colored toilet seat to
provide contrast to toilet area, and remove waste cans and plants from
the floor.
- If person resists entering the bathroom, put on a
radio or tape player with their favorite music and dance or march in
with them!
- Cover sinks and keep radiators covered with colorful
printed covers.
- Keep records on when person uses the bathroom.
- Encourage fluids early in the day; decrease or
eliminate fluids before bedtime.
- Eliminate caffeine, including chocolate, after 3:00
p.m.
- Use appropriate products, such as adult pads and
briefs, mattress covers.
- To avoid a potential toileting problem in public,
carry a card that says: "Man (woman) in Ladies (Men's) Room" and
post as needed.
|