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Its the Memory Care's problem, not yours. I'd have a meeting with the executive director of the place and ask why they don't care that residents are urinating in garbage cans and creating unsanitary and smelly conditions for everyone? Dad needs to be wearing disposable briefs and toileted by staff every 2 hours.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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If the administration of the memory care is content with this, and you should meet to find out if they are, it’s likely time to find a new place
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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They have special clothing for dementia patients that prevent them from removing their clothes. This person should be wearing these types of garments so that they cannot do this. This isn't rocket science and doesn't sound like this is a good facility.
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Reply to ShirleyDot
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My mom does this . . . we tried depends she would just take them off when no one was looking. She would use them when she felt she would not make it to the bathroom in time or simply forgot where the bathroom was.

I did find out from my great aunt that my great grandpa did abuse my mom and she did use to use a bucket as a bathroom as a kid. So kind of explains the behavior when she is not out and about. She may feel trapped and harkens back to her childhoos but doubt that applies here.

Thankfully has yet to be an issue in public, but this is not a you issue to solve if your dad is placed. It does become a them problem.
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Reply to Basictakes99
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Why do you feel you need to do something about this?
The patient is placed in memory care so that someone else can take care of their needs.
You are right to worry about how the staff handles this. Every care facility is different. This one may not have adequate staff to do more. Or it could be their protocol not to interfere or help with toileting. This is more of a skilled nursing duty. It is probably time to transfer this patient to a skilled nursing facility.
And, always meet with an admissions director first, to find out if they are able to meet the patient's needs.

By the way; Don't try and micromanage the care facility. Unless you are prepared to take the person home and take care of their every need yourself, let them do their job. It might not be to your satisfaction. But, if they are keeping the person safe and relatively comfortable, and as long as they are not neglected to the point of declining health (such as not getting meds properly administered, bed sores from not changing diapers or not turning the patient, or not making sure they get nutrition, so the patient loses a lot of weight) just be a loving visitor.
My husband was severely neglected in a nursing home. His bottom was raw and bleeding from leaving him all day in urine, and he lost 10 pounds in one week due to no one coming in to give his tube feeding. I made my concerns known to the director of nursing. Shortly after this, he was sent home - he was actually kicked out, and I have been caring for him at home ever since. He is strong and healthy and I enjoy having him home with me, but it is the hardest thing I've ever done, and I fear this will kill me and he'll still be going strong.
Just be content if the nursing home is keeping your loved one safe and comfortable. Unless you want to do this full time.
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Reply to CaringWifeAZ
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TouchMatters Nov 22, 2025
"Why do you feel you need to do something about this? The patient is placed in memory care so that someone else can take care of their needs. You are right to worry about how the staff handles this. Every care facility is different."

Well, that's an answer I wouldn't have thought of.

The only concern I would have is if this behavior is occurring in the person's room.

I note that this writer doesn't indicate if this person is related to them or 'just' something they've observed when there.

If this writer feels it is a hygiene issue for the entire floor or a specific room - or a stench in the common areas (or specific rooms), the writer can discuss w the administrator (take a photo when occurring) and if that doesn't result in any changes, contact the licensing board of the facility. Licenses are (required to be) posted in common places, usually on a bulletin board for the public to see. Gena
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I've heard for males, that if the trash can is white, that they think it is a urinal. Maybe try changing the color of the trash can.
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Reply to SandraD78
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Hopefully a bedside commode is located in the room for the patient. If there is that much dementia going on the staff would normally find undergarments or some type of brief for the client to wear. I would recommend reporting this matter to your local department of health, and the department of aging if you are not able to resolve the matter at the facility immediately.
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Reply to Senior8
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I am in complete agreement that if your LO is " continously" doing this then the Facility ISNT taking proper care of them!! I would be making Noise about this and if things did not change, tben CHANGE Facilities if you are able
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Reply to Littlewing65
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You should take your dad to a urologist. It is possible he is having urinary frequency and urgency issues. If so, there are medications to help. If not, at least you know that there isn't an undiagnosed medical problem.
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Reply to WilliamBillA1
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I have heard of several men and a few women who use trash cans near the bed in their homes for urine at night. They do not want to walk far to the bathroom, and disturb their sleep.
As long as someone is dumping and cleaning the can, keeping it sanitary, and it is not spilling on the floor, maybe it is not a huge problem. If it is left there to smell, or is
spilling on the floor, then that becomes a danger for falling. Maybe not such a good idea at a facility. ??? I suggest the WICK for women and a portable urinal for men.
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Reply to Tiger8
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