How do we care for our parents or elderly relatives at home
Incontinence
When the problem first began, my mother started purchasing menstrual pads. (This does not work as well as the Incontinence pads because incontinence pads are designed to accept a quicker flow, to neutralize urine, and can have a gel that prevents infection from exposure to urine. Grandma was embarrassed to buy them (I am sure anyone could figure out that someone 80 plus years old was not menstruating). And I didn't want to go in to buy them either. So I encouraged her to go into Walmart with me to purchase them for her. She said she would rather I go, so I suggested the motorized cart. She reluctantly agreed. So in we went with my four boys in tow. My five year old wanted to ride with her. So at first she would not go forward because the aisle was not completely free of people, so I ran it beside her. Not an easy task. Finally, we were in a people free isle, she felt comfortable. Off she went like a bat outa ...................... Well, anyway, we won't do that again!
So I finally sucked it up and would go and buy the disposable underwear for her. I would go to Sam's Club and put them on the bottom of the cart. (Member's Mark Protective Underwear works well at an amazing price.) One day I put the pack of 88 adult diapers on the bottom of the cart and proceeded to do my shopping. After paying, I proceeded to cross into the parking lot. I was really in a hurry with a long list of things to do. The package fell off the cart and landed at my feet, tripping me, with the cart continuing to go forward with momentum across the parking lot dragging me and my feet with the diapers along the ground, until some nice man grabbed me by the arm to stop me and stood me up. I was so embarrassed, I wanted to crawl under the cart. I thanked him and carefully proceeded to my car. I put my head on my steering wheel and began to replay the ordeal over in my mind. Suddenly, I started to laugh hysterically. I must have been such a sight! And honestly without a sense of humor, caring for your senior may be very difficult.
So I finally sucked it up and would go and buy the disposable underwear for her. I would go to Sam's Club and put them on the bottom of the cart. (Member's Mark Protective Underwear works well at an amazing price.) One day I put the pack of 88 adult diapers on the bottom of the cart and proceeded to do my shopping. After paying, I proceeded to cross into the parking lot. I was really in a hurry with a long list of things to do. The package fell off the cart and landed at my feet, tripping me, with the cart continuing to go forward with momentum across the parking lot dragging me and my feet with the diapers along the ground, until some nice man grabbed me by the arm to stop me and stood me up. I was so embarrassed, I wanted to crawl under the cart. I thanked him and carefully proceeded to my car. I put my head on my steering wheel and began to replay the ordeal over in my mind. Suddenly, I started to laugh hysterically. I must have been such a sight! And honestly without a sense of humor, caring for your senior may be very difficult.
How to:
Prevent this issue: In order for the urinary system to work properly, it is vital to drink enough water. The first thing most seniors will do is to cut back on their liquid intake. Their thought process is logical, but faulty. If you don't want liquid leaking out, put in less liquid. This is incorrect, because it distresses the urinary system and causes the urine to be concentrated, acidic and irritating. Therefore the body wants to let it out. So staying hydrated is extremely important.
Essential Oils can also be beneficial with bladder control. Cypress essential oil, one drop applied to the abdomen can help with urgency and reduce getting up to the bathroom during the night. Other essential oils that can support urinary health are juniper berry and celery seed.
Exciting News: Sam's will ship the Protective Underwear for Free, and they have the best price! Yeah! I wish I know that then, lol. At least now I don't have to get them at the store!
UTI Although I will mention this again when speaking of dementia, it needs to be mentioned here. A Urinary Tract Infection can cause sudden and severe dementia. I find this rather strange, but it is very true. While I was out with my sons, my daughter, a medical assistant, was watching my mother. She called very upset. When she woke Grandma up from her nap, she was extremely disoriented. She did not know who Katie is, or even her own name. Katie, thinking maybe she is dehydrated, gave her water. Grandma looked bewildered and was not able to hold the cup. She did not appear weak, but too confused to recognize what to do with it. She immediately called me an I hurried home with us all very concerned that she had had a stroke. We took her over to the Emergency Room, where she was diagnosed with a UTI.
For urinary health, always stay well hydrated. This means to drink one half ounce of water per pound of body weight. For those who are more active or when the weather is very hot, an ounce of water per pound of body weight is appropriate. When there is an indication of discomfort in the urinary system, we use Juni Ursi taken three times a day. This herbal combination cleanses, supports and maintains a healthy urinary system.
Essential Oils can also be beneficial with bladder control. Cypress essential oil, one drop applied to the abdomen can help with urgency and reduce getting up to the bathroom during the night. Other essential oils that can support urinary health are juniper berry and celery seed.
Exciting News: Sam's will ship the Protective Underwear for Free, and they have the best price! Yeah! I wish I know that then, lol. At least now I don't have to get them at the store!
UTI Although I will mention this again when speaking of dementia, it needs to be mentioned here. A Urinary Tract Infection can cause sudden and severe dementia. I find this rather strange, but it is very true. While I was out with my sons, my daughter, a medical assistant, was watching my mother. She called very upset. When she woke Grandma up from her nap, she was extremely disoriented. She did not know who Katie is, or even her own name. Katie, thinking maybe she is dehydrated, gave her water. Grandma looked bewildered and was not able to hold the cup. She did not appear weak, but too confused to recognize what to do with it. She immediately called me an I hurried home with us all very concerned that she had had a stroke. We took her over to the Emergency Room, where she was diagnosed with a UTI.
For urinary health, always stay well hydrated. This means to drink one half ounce of water per pound of body weight. For those who are more active or when the weather is very hot, an ounce of water per pound of body weight is appropriate. When there is an indication of discomfort in the urinary system, we use Juni Ursi taken three times a day. This herbal combination cleanses, supports and maintains a healthy urinary system.
When occasional bed wetting became a problem, we tried those nice little disposable pads. They are convenient, affordable and all over the bed by morning. My mother's bed is against the wall, and if you have ever changed a bed that has a side against the wall, you know it is like wrestling cattle to get the sheet on the wall-side of the bed. So the hunt for a large durable bed pad began. I finally found this large waterproof bed pad . Click the link to this bed pad; it really saves me on laundry.
How I make the bed is: First a waterproof zip around mattress protector, then the fitted sheet, then the waterproof bed pad. Then the topsheet which goes on top of Grandma with her Down Alternative Blanket on top, since older people get cold easily. I chose Down alternative as opposed to Down because it will put up with repeated washings better.
How I make the bed is: First a waterproof zip around mattress protector, then the fitted sheet, then the waterproof bed pad. Then the topsheet which goes on top of Grandma with her Down Alternative Blanket on top, since older people get cold easily. I chose Down alternative as opposed to Down because it will put up with repeated washings better.