28 Apr 2008
Dear Mary,
In a recent column you said that incontinence is not normal and that it can be corrected. My mother has Alzheimer’s disease and has been incontinent for the past year. Her doctor said it was to be expected. Is there really a fix for it?
Dear Reader,
The question was, is incontinence a normal part of aging? To this I replied no it is not. Incontinence that occurs with Alzheimer’s disease is a direct result of the process of the disease. Brain cells that pick up messages from bladder and bowel are destroyed. However, incontinence that occurs early in the disease is of the functional type: the person cannot remember where the bathroom is or is unable to get there in time. In this case, reminders with guidance to go every two hours work. Even in the later stage, toileting every two hours prevents accidents and lowers the risk of urinary tract infection as well as skin breakdown.
So, the answer to your question is, no, incontinence due to Alzheimer’s disease cannot be “fixed” but it can be managed.
Dear Mary,
Recently you invited caregivers to send in tips that make their lives easier. I would like to share mine. My grandmother is blind due to macular degeneration. She is a die hard soap opera fan and still enjoys listening to them. She would constantly ask what time it was for fear she would miss them. For Christmas I gave her a talking watch. She just needs to push a button and it announces the time. It can be set to announce time hourly and there is an alarm that can be set, too. The best part is my grandmother no longer pesters for the time and feels more independent and in control. For the price of $40.00 the household is now a much more peaceful place. I found it on the website: The Society for the Blind: www.societyfortheblind.org.
Dear Reader,
There are many useful gadgets available to make the life of the visually impaired, as well as their caregiver’s life, much easier. Thank you for taking the time to share this helpful tip.
Dear Mary,
How do I get a person with dementia into the shower? My client’s daughter hired me specifically to give her mother a shower. Her daughter said she was tired of fighting with her. I have not been able to do it without a battle either. By the time we are done, I am black and blue from being pinched and punched. Do you have any suggestion on how to get the job done peacefully?
Dear Reader,
The behavior your client is exhibiting is not unusual. It is her way of telling you she does not like what you are doing and wants you to stop. Try to look at it from her point of view. She feels cold and vulnerable when undressed, her modesty is disrespected, and she is unable to control the situation. On top of this is the fear of falling.
My suggestion is to forget about the shower and bathe her at the sink. There is no rule that says a person must be soaked in water to get clean. Invite her into the bathroom to “wash up” and cue her while assisting her to bathe. If her daughter objects, tell her to drop me an email.
Mary C. Fridley RN, BC
|
