Hi,
I am living abroad and my brother is really struggling looking after mum. She is too weak to up the pull-ups, thus causing a daily mess at his home. Because of her dementia, she can't handle the nappies with tape-straps. We can't pay for a carer. Are they better nappies easy to up and down for weak elderly? Thank you.
An alternative to pullups could be disposable 'net' pants?
They are unisex, fit like snug boxers, designed to hold a large incontinence pad in place. Probably buy from pharmacies or online. Warning: quite sheer.
As they are very light & very stretchy, they *may* be easier to pull up one hand at a time while still holding a walking frame BUT wrangling the pad into the correct position may be too hard.
Dementia progressess & frailty will worsen I am sorry to say.
The next stage is assistance by another person. As your Brother is her main caregiver he will need to decide if he willing to continue down that road of Caregiver into Personal care: dressing, bathing, toileting hygiene, dental hygiene.
It would be reasonable to call time. To start looking at other options now.
We were warned not to go too big though as a snug fit is needed to avoid leaks.
I guess it depends what the issues are.
Common problems;
- cannot bend well to get over feet
- large legs, pants very tight
- hard to stand up
- hard to balance
Tab type briefs are the type that someone else puts on a person that is generally not real mobile since they are prone to slipping a bit more. So generally a person is not going to be putting a tab brief on themselves.
Taking a brief off is not a problem most just tear at the side so they come off easily.
If she can not cover the cost of a caregiver has there been an application for Medicaid made?
A waiting list for a facility with a Medicaid bed. The lists are long and best to put her on the list at several facilities. Many would like the resident to be Private Pay for at least 2 years before the need for Medicaid.
If brother has to keep her home and no caregiver he will have to learn how to put on briefs and aid her BEFORE she makes a mess.
That means getting her to the bathroom at least every 2 hours. Staying with her in the bathroom. Cleaning her, washing hands and putting a clean brief on.
My uncle was living alone in his home. He refused to go into placement and he developed a urinary tract infection that turned septic and he almost died.
My cousins were all working full time and told their dad that they would not be able to care for him. They insisted that he enter a facility.
My uncle initially fought back and said that he would hire a caregiver to help.
My cousins convinced him that he needed to be in a facility. He agreed and he was well cared for by the staff. He was content and made friends with the other residents. He died at age 96.
This is often best done from hospital where social workers can help you find placement.
I would call 911 before this goes into a bedsore that can cause sepsis and death. Have mom transported to hospital care.
Do make a visit home NOW if you are at all able to.