We Americans are not a patient lot. We look for and continually try to enact quick fixes. Alzheimer's unfortunately must be the most frustrating disease for us to deal with on a daily basis. Here I am trying I implement a "fix" in 3 months that has taken 4 years to develop. That would truly be an "Americanized" miracle cure. Not gonna happen.
I finally gave up trying to control the incontenance and decided to do 2 things.
First, when Joyce goes to bed she is on her own until she gets up. Yes, I do put a "depends" on her for the night. I am sleeping much better now and getting up less. Since embarking on this approach she hasn't wet the "depends" and has gotten up on her own to go to the bathroom. I will view this as treatment progress since her nighttime incontinace was one of the last things to manifest itself. If I recall it began in November.
Second I put a "depends" on her beneath her panties in the daytime and have quit trying to remind her to relieve herself. She goes to the bathroom when she wants to now but so far hasn't gone a whole day without wetting her "depends". For me, I don't have to wash as many clothes now and I can do other things without interruption. For Joyce, if she continues improving, this may be a training aid to help regain her own self control.
Regarding "depends", I have tried different brands. The ones from Sams Club are too flimsy to hold up to repeated removal and replacement. Depends are good but Albertson's sells one under the name Equaline in a panty style that is great. They also sell some with tabs like disposable diapers but I haven't tried them. Lucky for me, Albertson's has many stores here in Baton Rouge.
It has really been difficult to find a new routine since we returned from California. Hopefully, that is because Joyce keeps slowly improving. Have to keep remembering -one day at a time. It is hard when you are impatient, lol.
We go back Wednesday for another injection.
PAL
Saturday, April 25, 2009
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Hi PAL,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us. Many people don't like to talk about this issue, but it sure helps to know how others deal with this and what little tricks have helped them improve the quality of life for both the patient and the caregiver. I will be praying that Joyce's incontinence troubles improve. I think at the very least they won't get worse thanks to the treatment! On the Alz.org message board, Caregivers talk about all issues:
http://alzheimers.infopop.cc/eve/forums
If you go to the caregivers forum and search "incontinence", you will see how other people have solved problems, and you can share your little tricks which may help others.
Joyce seems like a very happy person so I hope you are able to take solace in knowing that this treatment can help so that she doesn't get worse or depressed. Then, when another treatment comes out that can bring her back even more, she'll be ready!
Take Care, Felicia