I am a 65 year old woman and am guardian for my 69 year old intellectually disabled brother. He now lives in a nursing home, but I often transport him to appointments, or take him on outings. He has various health issues (diabetic, CKD patient on dialysis, etc.), and is completely incontinent (doesn’t produce much urine, but frequently has diarrhea). I am worried that at some point when we are out I will need to clean him up and put him in a fresh Depends. I am willing to clean him up, but cannot figure out how I would do this, since he wouldn’t be able to lie down (he can stand and walk short distances with a rollator, but spends most of his time in a wheelchair), and even if he could stand long enough, I can’t go into the men’s room, and don’t think I could take him into the ladies’ room. Has anyone dealt with this?
But, after injuring myself twisting, lifting etc I decided this was no good. I needed other solutions.. a Plan B. & Plan C.
Plan B: Bring help. Support Worker has been now hired for longer outings.
Plan C: Cover up. This is what the Paramedics told me to do. Blanket (towel, jacket or plastic bag) over the lap to cover up. Return home for clean up.
I would always announce before I entered. If anyone was there I would explain and never did I have a problem.
There were 2 occasions when he got away from me and entered the men's room and I would announce myself, if there was no one there I would enter.
Most places now have "Family washrooms" and you could use that.
Removing soiled pull up briefs takes a bit of practice but it can be done.
YouTube is great for instructions of all kinds. You can start there.
(first hint you can tear the sides of the pull up to make removing them easier.)
You might want to ask the CNA at the facility where he is currently living to show you how to do a change when he is standing.
If he can not stand for the length of time it would take for you to change him then....Don't.
Keep absorbent pads in the car with you.
don't travel a great distance
don't stress about things that you have no control over.
just know that you may have to adapt your planned schedule for the day.
The places who are okay with you going in a mens' room or the ones who have a family restroom, write them down. These will be the places you can go with your brother.
How you change his diaper out in public should you need to, is first make sure you have all of your supplies (same as when you care for a baby). Diapers, wipes, gloves, paper towels, plastic garbage bags, a change of pants, and yes, an extra pair of socks (trust me on this one), a pack of Clorox wipes (or the like because no one should EVER leave a mess) and a small spray air-freshener.
Get him into the handicapped stall in the bathroom if the place has one. Then sit him on the toilet and clean him up. Dispose of the mess properly and clean the place up if needs be. Then you're good because you came prepared. Good luck.