Follow
Share

Both of my in laws are on dialysis and so they both have bad kidneys which has them on certain pills that makes one of them constipated and the other one have diarrhea. They're both wearing depends [such a lifesaver]..but there are times where the diaper doesn't get all of it. The problem is their room and the hallway leading to the bathroom is ALL carpet and sometimes the poop goes down their leg and unto the floor. We live in a rented apartment so my husband and I are constantly on our knees trying to get these stains out. But it seems like whenever we somehow do manage to get the stains out, another one has an accident. Now my MIL is having her toe amputated due to an infection eating away at the bone and she'll have to be off her feet for 3+ weeks. She's the one who gets diarrhea while on these meds. Meds can't be stopped as they help keep her phosphorous levels down from the food she eats. Stubborn and head strong woman so not giving her the foods she wants to eat sometimes is out of the question [I've been lying to her telling her the supermarket sold out of the meat or something]. I need to know any ways to protect the flooring for easy clean up AND keeping the carpet clean..or attempt to. I've been thinking of floor runners but they're both on walkers, too. She is legally blind on one eye and her retinal detachment on the other eye is super blurry due to diabetes and her husband has dementia problems so if they get caught their walkers caught in the floor runners they might trip while my husband and I are asleep. Any suggestions?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
You can try thin carpet runners and secure the borders well with carpet tape so that they don't get caught on the walkers or their feet. If you don't think vinyl would be good, you can use the thin woven kind that can be thrown in the washing machine. It would be inconvenient to tear the carpet tape up each time, but it may save your carpet. The only problem with using these things is to make sure they don't create a trip or slip hazard for them.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

What about a bedside commode for night time, and jogging pants with ankle cuffs could help contain any overflow accidents.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

ASK the apartment manager if you can take up the carpet and install a vinyl floor. That is safer and cleaner all around. That would constitute "reasonable accommodation" of a disability.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

maren88, unless the hallway carpet is completely replaced, I wouldn't suggest putting any type of runner over the hallway carpet, as it is almost impossible to get all the "accidents" out of the carpet... the "accidents" usually go down into the backing and the padding underneath. It would need air to keep odor from building up. I saw what it did to my parent's carpet.

After the hallway carpet is replaced, then wide plastic slip proof runners or those oriental style runners can be installed with approval of the apartment management. In fact, if it were me, I would ask management what they would suggest and have them install the runners, that way no questions after the fact when the time comes to move.

The office building that I help manage, we had a new tenant install carpet runners because of the nature of his business which meant survey crews would be coming and going in all types of weather, thus muddy boots. The runners were also on carpet stairs and worked out great. The runner was stapled to the existing carpeting.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Oh, and put one of those heavy carpet protectors meant for under wheeled office chairs under the commode, they are very sturdy.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Commodes aren't really an option. They both would not like it and they won't even use it. She was in an assisted living home after her hip surgery because we had stairs and she had a commode in her room; refused to use it. My husband and I sleep down the hallway so when we hear them calling for us we can help but sometimes it just gets on the floor and we get there too late.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Apartment? They are with Maren in their home now.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

They are living with their daughter in a rented apartment.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Oh, okay. I see that now. That makes a lot of difference. The vinyl runners do seem the way to go in order to protect the rental property.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter