Without going all TMI, how do really old people with continence issues get laundry done?

[Fauve]

ATM, the WRVS takes a load of my Dad's washing, but NOT the soiled stuff. Er, well, most of it IS soiled, so he washes it by hand; but he will eventually be too frail to do that. This must be an EXTREMELY common problem. Surely people don't just chuck away stuff that's soiled if they don't have a washing machine?

[2shoes]

I take it your talking "soiling"?

[Fauve]

Yes, I'm afraid I am. WRVS won't take 'soiled' stuff, but that's most of it!

[pukka]

something like tenalady for men?

[Quadrophenia]

you can buy incontinence pads for at night, or use kylie's which would be easier to clean ( a sheet which just goes over the middle part of the bed)

[Fauve]

Yes, he has pads and actually I give him Pampers CAre Mats for the bed, which he likes. It's just that everyday stuff gets (ahem) skid-marked, eg pants, trousers, bathmats. I encourage him to just shove it all in for the WRVS if only lightly soiled, but my sis disagrees. He is keen to continue wearing ordinary pants, not 'pull-ups'.

[pukka]

if its just skidmarks, then tbh, it should comeout in the washing machine.
when washing babies real nappies, despite using the flushable liner, i would get the equivalent of skid marks on the nappy. if too much solid stuff, it would be washed down the toilet basin, but otherwise it can all just be put in the washing machine. can your father do that?
i dont know what this wrvs you speak abou tis. but yesterday i put in the machine ds's extremely incredibly muddy jogger bottoms, jumper, and trainers. as well as my jeans with mud at the bottom. ds had run a cross country race and had manged to fall in the mud as well. everything came out sparkling. just put it on the normal synthetics cycle, but put in as extremly dirty. should work for your fathers clothes

[Clayhead]

Does he have a washing machine?

When this happened with my grandad, we ended up getting a washing machine between us and then one of us went each day to load and unload it. It was the only way we could keep up. He was very confused though so we had to do it or he'd have forgotten!

It's a big job if it's all handwashing though.

[Fauve]

Clayhead, that sounds like our situation. He hasn't got a washing machine, and we can't work out how to plumb one in, although I'm sure a plumber would!

Pukka, WRVS is a charity which runs a laundry service for elderly people. I reckon THEIR washing machines would cope with light-ish soiling. I think what they don't want is stuff where you have to clean it up BEFORE bunging in the washing machine. Personally I also put very dirty stuff straight into the washing machine.

Thanks for your thoughts. I will need to try to convince my sis.

[Clayhead]

The machine I got for my grandad was a very basic, bottom of the range one and, believe me, it coped with loads . He was having all kinds of trouble (including blood) and I just bunged it all in the machine, never had a problem.

Does your dad get any benefits like DLA which he could use to fund any changes he might need to make?

[pukka]

fauve, if you buy one for him, the delivery people will be able to plumb it in under the kitchen sink. maight cost a little bit, but i think it would make his life easier.
yes, i'm sure the charities washing machines would be able to cope with light soiling such as skidmarks

[Fauve]

Thanks, Clayhead and Pukka - sorry, have been offline for a bit, hence slow response! We are seeing him this weekend so will try to make some progress.