Moms room stinks of urine
She still lives alone primarily but has recently acquiesced to having a part time caretaker a few days a week. She has mostly refused my moving in because she’s “not ready” (and I do have a toddler and a dog which makes for an occasionally noisier environment).
Every aspect of this disease can feel so degrading. My mom has been using a walker. Very slowly. Fell three times last week. Had to call paramedics. I think we are getting ready to buy into the next chapter: wheelchair necessity.
Her speech is getting progressively worse. She is becoming less intelligible and while still understanding most of what she says, many of us are asking her to repeat herself.
But the big thing that I would never say to her face, one that my brother and I openly acknowledged to one another other last night, is that her room stinks of urine.
She gets up to go to the bathroom several times day and night, and I’m not sure exactly what is happening but she’s wearing normal underwear, has refused a commode, and drinks before bed to take her meds.
I’m not sure if she’s fully aware of the extent of incontinence or whether this is mechanical and having to do with the difficulty of getting to the bathroom in time.
Yesterday she was sobbing at Mother’s Day brunch—saying how she has to think ten minutes ahead about how she will get to the bathroom.
A couple questions: does ALS affect pelvic floor muscles and cause incontinence?
Also, I’m interested in suggesting the MOST DIGNIFIED, clean, easy options for dealing with peeing.
I know there’s diapers (not dignified; depressing at best; but sometimes the only choice), and now I’ve been reading up on external catheters using wicks.
Can anyone provide firsthand experience for dealing with bladder issues and how to pee without it being a massive endeavor.
The smell in her room is pungent. I want her to not have to worry so much about getting to the bathroom to pee.
Any advice appreciated