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If it’s like unopened yogurt for 1 serving that not yet expired but been in fridge a couple weeks , for example..that’s ok However, leftovers or something that was cooked and then put back in fridge..should be reheated and eaten in couple of days, Who is providing food? & once a day bathroom trips not enough for urinating but enough for pooping 💩
Does she wear pull-ups or diapers?
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Reply to CaregiverL
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You're a caregiver and you actually have to ask this question?

Please get some training for yourself as well as your clients. YouTube is a great resource to learn caregiving and Google is a bright crayon of knowledge to help you keep your clients and yourself safe.
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Reply to Isthisrealyreal
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I would change my wording from 'normal' to safe, acceptable or hygenic.

Re continence. As mentioned, pullups or other continence-wear may be used for to deal with bladder leaks/urine.incontinence. Once a day bathroom visit for bowels seems regular. This would be OK.

Re perishable food. Leaving food past useby dates risks food poisening. This may need a caregjver's assistance to manage. Reasons may vary but the obvious ones are;
* eyesight - unable to read small useby dates, unable to see mould
* memory / reasoning - less ability to know how old items are
* costs - not wanting to waste money when item is still halffull.

If you want to explain what your role is, we may be able to offer more specific input.
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Reply to Beatty
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Of course it’s not normal . If you are a paid caregiver , have you reported this to her family ? Why are you allowing her to eat old food? And you have elder abuse as a topic under your question, who do you think is abusing her ? Who buys the food and cleans out the old food ? Does the woman get checked at the doctor if you told family she’s only using the bathroom once ?
If the family is the problem with bringing her food , and not addressing the fact that she only uses the bathroom once a day , report this to APS .
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Reply to waytomisery
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I agree that using the bathroom only once a day doesn't seem right. Have you checked to see if her urine is very dark? I agree you maybe need to poke around to see if she's actually peeing elsewhere (trash pails and laundry baskets, etc)?

What do you mean by "food left in fridge for weeks"... does it have mold on it? Does it smell bad or is rotting or discolored? I eat old food from my fridge all the time *if it is still safe to eat*. It's usual something I cooked myself and stored properly. My sons never stop giving me grief about this but I'm a healthy 66-yr old in spite of it -- and food is expensive and I'm too lazy to cook all the time.

I'm only asking because many people will throw out food just because it passed the expiration date on the label, without actually checking it first.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Of course it's not normal! Would YOU eat weeks old food in the fridge?
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Reply to lealonnie1
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NO one...as in NO one only goes to the bathroom just once a day. That is impossible.
Is she peeing in her adult brief(aka diaper)the rest of the time, because that would make more sense?
Are you making sure that she's drinking enough to keep her hydrated, and if not why not?
And if you are her caregiver and are there when she's eating, why are you letting her eat food that is weeks old instead of making sure that she's getting a good nutritious fresh meal?
And as her caregiver, why aren't you periodically cleaning out her fridge so she won't have the option to eat something that is old?
This woman obviously is having some cognitive decline and doesn't realize that she's eating old food, and so you as her caregiver are responsible to make sure that what she's putting in her mouth isn't too old.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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Helpme5 Aug 29, 2025
Well yes I am her caregiver . I do not let her eat bad food I have been told by her family not to throw anything away.. I have photos of moldy food left in the fridge. I am not allowed to force her to drink or eat or do anything she doesn't want to. I do give her fresh fluids often and she sips on it. We are not allowed to go into the bathroom or her bedroom this is her family wishes because she needs her privacy. When she has changed her underwear and pads and left them on the counter they have not been wet Going on two weeks now. I have made many awear of this situation and have not been able to get any help. I'm here for 8 hrs 3 days a week I know she doesn't use the bathroom often and she gets very upset when I ask her to try... And yes this WOMAN uses the BATHROOM 1 while I'm here. Also two of her children buy her food it's a lot of junk food or take out what they do cook is either left in the fridge for days weeks then gets put into the freezer. Leaving the caregivers not much to work with.😡😡.
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Often a 95 year old doesn't fall under the category "normal". But which of us does?
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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