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Dad, 86, doesn’t have dementia but is frail and has terrible digestion including nighttime diarrhea while in bed. He has bed pads and is wearing nighttime Depends but when he has an attack it leaks out and removing the Depends makes another mess. Just finished a major bathroom cleanup operation. We are living together in a Covid pod for the next few months but he would like to be able to clean up after himself and I can’t really tolerate the clean-up without gagging. We could afford home health but how can you just call when you need cleanup for a random hour once a week or so?


We are talking with doctors and trying to pinpoint the cause but it may just be his long-term diverticulosis. Just wonder if anyone has cleanup up suggestions because he would like to be as self sufficient as possible.


Mom has dementia and is 89 and on oxygen so can’t help him. I can’t imagine them going back to their independent living apartment when this is over but they don’t really need 24/7 care either.

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Is he on any antidepressants? A friend's dad had the same problem at night, and it was traced to the antidepressants he was taking. They cut those off, and the problem was solved.

As far as self-cleaning, I'm sure it's very hard for him to do -- and for you. Short of taking a full shower, I'm not sure how you can really be sure he'd get himself clean from a blow-out in a Depends. You might consider using diapers at night, so they can be removed more easily without making a bigger mess.

Poor guy.
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I would switch to a Tab brief rather than a pull up type brief. (I personally do not like the term "diaper" for adults)
Or if using the pull up type rather than trying to pull it down have him tear the sides while he is still in bed. Then using wipes try to clean what he can, again while still in bed.
Then he should be able to gather everything in the disposable under pad and toss it in the trash. Then he can make his way to the shower.
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I found that putting a pair of sport style boxer briefs (the kind with snug legs) over the incontinence brief helped to contain things better. I'm hoping you don't have carpet between the bedroom and bathroom but if you do a runner can help with clean up, just make sure it is secured to the floor. Once he gets to the bathroom have him strip AFTER he's in the shower to contain the mess and make it easy to wash away, can keep a pail for laundry and garbage inside the shower if there is room.
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