My Dad wants to wear his pullup until it is nearly full. How do I get him to change this habit?

Create a new habit. Every 2 hours tell dad matter of factly, "It's time to change your pants real quick." Does your dad wear pants with elastic waste bands? This will make the changing quicker. And I agree with the gal above me who suggested that the soiled pull-up be disposed of immediately for hygienic purposes.

Just don't give your dad a choice. Every 2 hours time to change.

Changing the pullups requires removal of trousers, shoes, and socks (at least it does for my ward) which may seem like too much work. I am wondering if tab closure products would be easier, and reduce reluctance to change.

The key issue for me in dealing with Mom's pull-ups is ODOR. If she stinks, we head for the bathroom.

Maybe it doesn't bother her as much, but I don't want to smell it, don't want the furniture stunk up and would hate for someone to visit and be greeting by a bad smell. And, if she were in her right mind, neither would Mom.

I'm sure she wouldn't have allowed me to remain for long in a dirty diaper 70 years ago and now it's time to return the favor. :-)

I forgot to mention in my earlier comment that the pull-ups we use for my mum can be torn off by tearing down each side and pulling the entire wet pants through the legs. When I am travelling anywhere with my mum her carers put two pairs of pull-ups on her so at the point when I know she needs to be changed, I simply tear off the pair closest to her skin, leaving her with a fresh pair on. Surprisingly, it's not too bulky wearing two pairs at once and it does give the opportunity to change and be clean without all the bother and strain of 'legs in and out' etc. I would also point out to your dad that by not changing regularly he is exposing himself to infection and that an IUT can be very debilitating - this might persuade him.

Obviously he can't smell it. The other possibility is kidney failure, where the urine smell is coming through the skin, and not the bladder. Desenex anti-fungal powder helps keep the urine from breaking down into ammonia.

Two simple suggestions - check that the action of changing the pull-up is not causing him pain. My mum finds this a strenuous activity which tires her out (even with carers to help) and it just might be that your dad wishes to avoid something similar. Secondly, check that what happens to the pull-up when it's changed doesn't cause him any psychological upset, i.e. does it get incinerated or removed from sight immediately, so he isn't reminded of his incapacity, or does it hang around somewhere. I am in the UK and my mum's carers are under strict instructions to place all clinical waste outside the house in a special bin after each visit but they often fail to do this - my job!

There is a lot of work involved in changing a pull-up as you said. I haven't had good luck with the tab kind. I don't think they're reliable. They don't have the seal and the protection a pull-up does. A soiled pull-up is like a little bowl with the contents tucked safely inside but with the tab kind things can just go everywhere. I don't think they fit snugly enough.

Would one of those incontinent pads placed in the pull up help in between his changing of the whole pull up?

I would say he does not realize how hard this is on his skin and the consequences of doing this... I think changing every two hours is a good idea. If indeed he can understand just explain this is best for him and you want to help him. It has to be somewhat humbling for all involved! take care!

We have the opposite problem lately. He is obsessed with changing socks, Depends, pajamas.....he is constantly changing whether he needs it or not. We are blowing through Depends like it's nobody's business! Hard on the environment, hard on the pocket book. Just shows with dementia they need daily guidance. But like everything else...this too shall pass and he will be onto the next compulsion/obsession. :-/