It is a fact of life that with some medical conditions comes a need for different toileting facilities. Sensitive retirement home staff understand the difficulty this poses for residents, and handle these changes with respect and dignity.
Whenever possible, of course, it will be up to the senior to choose the most appropriate option. This will be dictated in part by the amount of mobility a person has.
Many options available
For people who are mobile but simply have trouble with incontinence, an adult diaper offers a dignified way to go about one’s daily activities while taking care of toileting needs. New materials have made these diapers much lighter and more absorbent, so it is possible to have a lot of security without a lot of bulk.
Some seniors choose to wear adult diapers at night as well. For those who have only occasional night problems, a washable incontinence pad as part of the bedding may be more comfortable.
Bedpans and urinals come into use when someone must stay in bed for extended periods of time, perhaps even all day, and has problems with mobility. These pieces of equipment allow dignified toileting when movement in and out of bed is painful or very slow. When this is not practical, a Foley catheter may be preferred.
Source:aoa.gov
Source:Washington University
