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beckybob3 Asked April 2020

I am not sure people really want to clean diapers. The other choice is risking taking them to the toilet in the wheelchair. Help?

It's an 87 year old that recently was discharged from rehabilitation.

Countrymouse Apr 2020
Is the person able to bear weight while standing?
What sort of toilet do you have access to?
Any other aides or equipment to help with toileting/transfers?

The "choice" - if it really is one - should first go to the person. Most people would prefer to use the toilet if they are at all able to, but sometimes they're too afraid of falling or getting stuck to try.

Grandma1954 Apr 2020
There really is not any information in your profile but..
If it is safe for both you and the person you are helping then helping them transfer to the toilet is an option.
Using a piece of equipment called a Sit to Stand is even easier and safer.
If the person has no strength and can not stand then using a Hoyer Lift with a sling that has a "commode hole" is safer and easy to do. There are wheelchairs that have open bottoms that can have a catch basin put under it or the chair can be positioned over the toilet is easy, the same chair can be used in a shower if you happen to have a shower with a "0 threshold"
If all of this is not possible then there is a good possibility that this person should not have been discharged to home. or...You will have to get used to changing the disposable briefs (I dislike the term diaper for adult incontinence products)
Changing someone in bed is really pretty easy once you have been properly shown how to do it and have done it a few times. It may not look pretty or "perfect" but no big deal as they will be off in a few hours anyway and you can start all over again.

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FloridaDD Apr 2020
I have a special wheelchair with a hole in the middle.  If you can transfer your elderly one to it, you can role her right over the toilet.   I have a roll in shower and it facilitates tht too.  Not very expensive

https://www.amazon.com/DMI-Transport-Handicap-Disabled-Capacity/dp/B000EX61KQ/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1CGWDKXK7XTXW&dchild=1&keywords=shower+wheelchair&qid=1586109828&sprefix=shower+whee%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-6

JoAnn29 Apr 2020
I would use a commode. Some have an arm that rises up for a safe transfer. So do wheelchairs. If the one being used does not have a removable arm I would try to find one that does.

A commode can also be put over the toilet using a splash guard instead of the bucket. It is more stable because of the legs and arm rests. Gives someone the ability to push themselves up.

cwillie Apr 2020
Of course nobody really wants to clean diapers, I can guarantee you that no caregiver paid or family enjoys that task and didn't shudder the first dozen or so times they had to do it, but it's amazing what you can do if there is no other choice. That said it would be better for the patient and the caregiver if you could toilet this person, at least for bowel movements. If they can bear weight for even a few seconds you should be able to pivot transfer them onto a toilet or perhaps even better a commode, did anyone demonstrate to you how to do a transfer safely?

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