Homecare South Miami FL
Bathroom visits can become complicated for your elderly loved one, especially if she has health issues that cause her to either need the facilities more often or have difficulty recognizing when she needs to go.
Make the Toilet as Easy to Find as Possible
If your elderly loved one has memory issues at all, she can forget where the bathroom is, even in her own home. Take away all the guesswork and make sure that your loved one can easily find the toilet. The first step is to leave the bathroom door open at all times unless the facilities are in use. Then, if your loved one walks by the room, the toilet is easy to spot. You can also post signs on the wall next to the bathroom.
Start Learning Your Elderly Loved One’s “Signals”
Every elderly loved one has their own signals that they’ll use when they need to use the bathroom. Your loved one might hop from one foot to the other, tug at her clothing, or even start pacing. If you can figure out your loved one’s own code, you can spot her signals at the very beginning of that code sequence and help her to get to the bathroom much faster.
Set up a Schedule for Bathroom Visits
Another option is to set up a schedule for bathroom trips. You might want to try every one to two hours and then adjust that schedule as you learn more about your loved one’s actual needs. By having a schedule, you are anticipating your loved one’s bathroom visits and can help to forestall accidents.
Reconsider Your Loved One’s Clothing
If your loved one’s clothing is too tight or too difficult for her to operate quickly on her own, she might find herself dealing with accidents. This can especially be a problem if she’s waiting too long to recognize that she needs the bathroom. Adjust her clothing, if necessary, by buying clothing that is a little looser or that uses simple fasteners.
Accept that Accidents Will Happen
It’s important to note that accidents are very likely to happen for your elderly loved one. As you fine tune your system, you can help to reduce the likelihood of these accidents but you may not eliminate them completely. Reassure your loved one when they happen and try not to let yourself become upset by them.
Talk to your loved one’s senior homecare providers about other tips that can help with the bathroom.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in South Miami FL, contact the caring staff at Providence Healthcare Services. We provide services in all of Miami Dade county and the Upper Keys. Call today (305) 680-5349.
