Toileting Tips for People Living with Dementia

For someone living with Dementia, having help with a personal task like toileting can be uncomfortable. Due to sensory changes, their genital area can be even more sensitive. Additionally, they may not recognize they need to use the bathroom, understand that they need help with the task itself, or may be hesitant to allow someone into the bathroom with them.

[@faengelm]

Have you considered adding technology to aid the person, such as automated reminders to flush and wash their hands?

[@memorycarehomesolutions]

Thanks for the comment, Frank! We have had some clients who have found automatic on/off appliances helpful.

[@mikikamc]

We have a family member with dementia who wear incontinence underwear for 'just in cases'. She has a bit of OCD and sometimes she forgets what we told her and would dispose the incontinence underwear when it gets just a bit dirty. We have paste a note on the wall facing the toilet seat at eye level but she still removes the underwear. When we ask, she would tell us she didn't see the note. We do not know how else to manage this situation as it happens mostly during middle of the night when everyone is deeply asleep. Any suggestions?

[@memorycarehomesolutions]

Hi there! Yes, due to processing changes, visual cues like signs may not be enough support for someone living with dementia. They need step by step verbal prompts to guide through the task. Is the family member able to put incontinence underwear on again after she removes the dirty ones? Even though they aren't too dirty, due to increased sensory processing, they may be more uncomfortable to her. Please give us a call at 314-645-6247 if you'd like to discuss more!