Any tips for cleaning fecal incontinence in bedridden person?

Um...I realize ya’ll aren’t medical professionals but holy wow! You still bowel movements if you don’t eat. Fecal matter is made up of more than just the food you ingest.

Not eating much isn't the same as not eating at all. I would question their methods though, a daily dose of PEG 3350 (Miralax) is a much gentler option, and the NH put mom on a regular probiotic and used lactulose if needed. And you/cousin shouldn't need to go to the nuclear option every 3 days, my mom often had periods where she only went once a week and the bisacodly suppository was only resorted to after oral laxatives had failed (yes, we were following our nurse's advice). In hindsight I think way too much emphasis was placed on this and it caused a lot of pain and suffering for both mom and I.

If Uncle isn't eating then duh, he wouldn't have a bowel movement. Nothing to move. I really would question the Nurse. I would want a doctor involved. I would not authorize another suppository. I just read he has sodium problems. Losing all that water doesn't help, I would think. If cousin hasn't gotten Hospice in, I think he should. They will evaluate uncle. Him not eating or drinking could be he is too weak or his body is shutting down. Cousin will still have the brunt of the work, but Uncle would be kept comfortable and an aide about 3x a week to bathe Uncle.

I think hospital are anal about bowel movements. They think people need to go everyday. They always had my Mom on something. At first I would continue the meds when she got home but then I stopped. First because the body starts to depend on them and another, not everyone goes every day. The only thing that worked for Mom was Milk of Magnesia. So, if she hadn't gone in 3 days, I would give her some. They now have pill form. This is what her doctor recommended.

I would stop using that type of suppository. I would tell the nurse there is too much mess to be cleaning up. Needs something less harsh. This could dehydrate him and then thats another problem.

Is Uncle on hospice?

If Uncle doesn't move around much, try chucks under him. There are large ones, the color is pink/orange. You may be able to use them for clean up. Put them on his favorite chair. Not sure they still have them, but I had a crib sheet protector from one of my kids. Its flannel on the outside and rubber inside. I used it on Moms recliner seat. There are also other types my Mom had for my Dad. All washable. And for wipes, get Huggies. They are big and thick.

Your uncle needs skilled care (at work we'd approach this double-handed, with one person doing the moving and handling and the other doing the cleaning and the skin integrity checks). It is perfectly possible to get somebody completely cleaned up even if he is bed-care only, but you do need to know how. And, yes, you do need the right kit. Try Googling "continence care products" and browse the online catalogues - there are all kinds of helpful items you wouldn't think of if you didn't happen to know about them.

I can't think how anyone thinks your cousin can cope with your uncle's care, on his own, just like that, with not even informal training from the nurses on the scene.

What was the suppository for?

Cousin called me not that long ago saying it happened again this morning and needs my help. I'm tied up with my grandma so I can't help. He called to see if the home health aide could come out today. He's waiting for a return call. So he has to leave his father laying on his side in the bed. No one would say what to do with him.

Cousin said he's nervous about moving his father because he's getting worse - more frail. He said he gently moved his leg and foot this morning because it was coming off the bed and he thought he heard cracking.

My uncle's hip area looks messed up on the side he fell on in the hospital. I wonder if he broke something and the nurses didn't check it out.

Unfortunately no diaper is going to completely hold this kind of mess, but at least when it is the result of using a suppository you are expecting it and can do some advance planning.
Leave off PJ bottoms and prep the bed with easily washed bedding.
Disposable bed pads - not lightweight chux but bigger, sturdier ones like those made by Depends... lay them over your washable bed pads.
Lots of gloves.
Soft paper towels (like bounty) followed by disposable wipes.
There are also spray on peri wash products that are good for men and women, or no rinse products that can be added to a pan of warm water and used with a wash cloth.
Follow up with plenty of barrier creams.
And may you never need it but I found my shop vac invaluable for cleaning up overflow that oozed down the side of the bed and onto the floor.
As for the smell... was this a bisacodyl suppository? In my experience these were too harsh and the smell was indescribable so they were reserved for the worst periods of constipation, glycerin suppositories didn't have the same nasty side effects.

i can’t imagine the smell! Borrow a trick from surgeons... wear a face mask and put a bit of Vick’s Vapo Rub or Peppermint oil in it.

PS: I also breathe through my mouth when I change him. Cuts down on smelling the blowout! 😊

My husband is mostly bedridden and I also have to clean him up. I know blow outs are very difficult. Wipes don’t really work that well unless they’re the size of a twin bed sheet. First of all, gloves!! If it’s really bad I usually change gloves halfway through.

I have a dishpan i fill with warm water and no rinse soap (Amazon). I also purchased a bag of washcloths or rags, from Lowe’s. They’ve lasted more than a year. But if they’re really gross I just throw them away. The most important thing is to make sure you get all the creases and crevices. When he’s laying down, that’s the easiest way. Remove all the dirty sheets and pads first. I wash part of him while he’s on his side and the rest when he’s on his back. Dry and apply diaper rash cream or barrier cream (also Amazon)

There really is no adult brief made for fecal incontinence unfortunately. The kind with the tabs instead of the pull ups work a little better for us. If you have a home health nurse, they can show you how to put them on. Or, there is a video on YouTube.