My mother uses the house as a open toilet! What do I do?

I've not had to deal with this (thankfully) but I would take her to the bathroom every hour or two and have her sit there till she goes. Most people are pretty regular about when they go, so figuring out her schedule may help. Would a portable commode next to her chair help? (though it sounds like she's quite mobile) Can you talk to her about it, hide around the corner and catch her at it so she has to explain? Wishing you the best!

Yellowfeever, I have had no experience with this so can only imagine how upsetting this must be for you. I am sure there are caregivers who will be able to give you suggestions and I look forward to reading these suggestions. I sincerely hope there are things that CAN be done; otherwise I doubt that you will be able to deal with this problem much longer. You deserve a big hug so I am going to send you one.

Are you sure she is doing it on purpose?With dementia,personal hygiene can go out the window.Does she Actually live with you? If she is doing it on purpose,which seems odd.you need to tell her if it continues,she will have to go into a home,it's not right that you have to put up with it.
I think you need to discuss it with your husband too! he realy should know,and is this in your home?
But you shoulden't have to put up with it.

New surgical techniques are helping many people who have long term problems. Whether it is appropriate for someone with Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia has to be medically assessed and involve caregivers too. Surgical procedures include: The artificial bowel sphincter, where a circular cuff is implanted around the anal canal and inflated to maintain sphincter closure. Sacral nerve stimulation using an electrode implanted into the sacral foramen and connected to a battery to provide continuous low level stimulation. This results in altering rectal and sphincter motor function.

Dosen't sound as if this is a medical problem,it sounds like a confusion or mental problem,ie,dementia.
She seems aware she is doing it,and laughs?
So it's not as though she dosen't know she is doing it?
But i'm not a Doctor!

I take care of my mother plus I have been a CNA for years 1st If you can get extra help get it.
2nd if you can schedule times to change her every three to four hours or less even if she does not have to go.
If you can sit her on the potty try turning the faucet on and let the water run down the sink so she can hear it
this may help her go. 3rd if you can find a way to cover things that can't be replaced because accidents are
going to happen. On the part she knows what she is doing well take it from somebody who worked in Nursing
Homes for years she really doesn't know what she is doing it but it way seem that way. Good Luck!!!

I had a similar problem with my mom when she was in the latter stages of Alzheimer's. Initially she would make it to the bathroom and forget how to pull down her pants and sit on the toilet. She absolutely refused to wear depends so we let her wear sweatpants without any underpants.
This allowed my father (her primary caregiver) to get her on the toilet as fast as he realized she needed to go. Also it was easier to wash the sweatpants or even discard them because they were not expensive.
Your mother may be squatting anywhere in the house because in her mind she is an infant and that was what she did before she was potty trained. If this is the case, you will have to try to modify this behavior in the same way you would do potty training for a toddler. Take her to the bathroom every half hour and get her to pull down her pants and sit on the toilet for at least 5 minutes. Sometimes she will go. Praise and reward her with a hug when she does. When she does not go, let her get off, pull up her pants and go back to what she was doing before. Keep this up all day for a couple of days until she starts to go on her own. But do not get angry with her when she reverts back. Just start the reinforcement again--always with loving kindness.

During my time as a hospice nurse, I had a patient that did this. We tried to be creative by dressing her in a one piece bathing suit under her clothes so that it was more difficult; dressing her in a one piece outfit (jumpsuit) with the zipper in the back, and of course, bathroom routine at least every hour. It is a very difficult issue to deal with. Have patience and ask for help from family/friends so that you can get well needed breaks. Dementia is a very difficult disease for families and it might reach a point where you cannot physically or emotionally care for her. Speak with your physician about hospice or call your local hospice for more information. The knowledge and support they can provide to your mom and you is amazing. You are not alone. Best of luck to you

Thanks to all for your information, I have 2 beside side commodes one in her room and the other in the living room. I have covered most of the floor in her room and areas in main living area with with those fabric bed pads to help catch her "accidents". but she spends most of the day picking them up off the floor and I spend most of my day laying them back down and chasing her, she is ALWAYS on the go. She only sleeps about 3 hours/nite and is awake for the other 21hrs a day and hardly sits still.(I wish I had that kind of energy however I am forced to pretend to have energy LOL)thank god that the our house has hardwood flooring so it makes cleaning easier. I know I should tell my husband but I am afraid he will feel that it should be time to check out homes for mom, I am one of those people that think I can do everything on my own. I have tried the reward method, she tell me shes no kid and not make a to make a fuss. I try to put her on the potty at least 1 time an hour. I try to feed her healthly meals on a set schedule to try to keep her regular,(but I can't get her regular). I used to be able to tell from her actions(like a toddler) when she had to go. Now, for the most part there is no warning. I know in my heart she doesn't know what she is doing, but my mind thinks the opposite. Since, I asked this question a few days ago, I am now trying something different, I bought those diapers with tabs. I put one of those on her with a depends over the top. I told her that these are special underpants that you can pee and poop in. I told her that I wear them too. She thinks its pretty neat so far. I did home health for years before I started taking care of her, so honestly I'd rather change a soiled diaper thru out the day then scrub her, floor and furniture all day. I don't want her to become dependant on the diaper, I still want her to go to the bathroom. Its right now just trial and error but it seems too be helping. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS

yellowfeever...I must tell you that some of the behaviors your mom is exhibiting seem too advanced for someone impacted by dementia. For example, her pulling up the bedpads seems more like she is acting out then that she is losing it. Perhaps she is testing you to see if your love for her still trumps your love for your husband. Her response to the diapers with tabs is especially interesting. If my observation about her testing you, I am betting she will start ripping off those diapers by the week-end. BTW-how does she react when your husband is home. Look for any differences. Most dementia and Alz patients are consistent in their behavior patterns because their loss of short term memory prevents them from controlling people and their environment to suit their preferences.