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What are some good ways to change my bedridden mother's diapers?

Jan 31, 2010

DGrant115
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Hello - My mother was recently placed on palliative home hospice care. We're working with the medical pros to make certain that she is comfortable, happy and at peace. My challenge is changing her. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to change her diapers? She has very fragile and has very little mobility so we must do pretty much everything, we try to be gentle, efficient and fast, but it's stressful for her so of course it's stressful for us. Any suggestions on a fast and effective way to accomplish this. By the way we have a hospital bed so i hope this will make it easier. Any and all insight will be appreciated. Thank you! Best wishes with your senior loved ones

Comments (1 to 5 of 16)

Jan 31, 2010

KelleyBean
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Do you have any nurses coming to help you? If so, ask them to show you a"roll-over" technique. You said "us", so im assuming you have help. Make sure you have not the pull-up kind, but the depends that opens on the sides like a baby diaper.

Have your helper stand on the other side of mom.
Open diaper.
Roll mom towards your helper. Your helper not only holds her up, but is also the main for comforting mom.
Pull the diaper out and give mom a good washing.
Place a fresh diaper under her. Bunch a little under mom.
Roll mom onto her back and then slightly towards you, your helper now pulls out that bunched part.

This technique puts the least stress on your mom without having her to help or to lift her.

Best Wishes!


Feb 4, 2010

ksue5036
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kellybean said it all. This is what I do. I am alone most of the time but you just have to go from one side of the bed to the other alot. Talking to your mom while doing this helps. and make sure the bed is up high so you don't get a back ache. Good luck.


Feb 4, 2010

AliceCat
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Just a quick suggestion, but baby whipes are great for everything and it could make clean up easier.


Feb 4, 2010

lcs
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KelleyBean, after you remove the soiled diaper and before you start washing "the bottom" do you have to put a towel down so that the bedding doesn't get wet? After patting dry "the bottom" do you put anything on the skin before putting on the clean diaper? Do you ever leave the area open to air dry if the room is warm enough? Thanks for the info.


Feb 4, 2010

ksue5036
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I am not kellybean but at night I just lay a diaper under mom so her bottom can get air. You need to turn her every two hrs any way so she does not get bed sores if you do not have am air mattress or sponge mattress on the bed and than you can clean her and put a fresh diaper and pad under her. I put cheap diaper rash med. with zinc in it on her and lots of vasoline. You can get paper or cloth underpads and hospice will supplie this stuff for you. Ask lots of questions they are full of info.


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