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Elderly parents
Original poster

Night-time incontinence solutions

35 replies

Sh1neAL1ght · 10/12/2024 10:45

DF (83) has Parkinson's and is struggling with night time incontinence.

He gets up several times in the night and changes the padded underwear that he uses.

DM lines up a set of padded pants with pads stuck in ready for him to use.

The padded underwear, even with an extra stick on pad, is not absorbent enough.

To complicate the issue, he has a huge hernia which means sizing is difficult.

He would not manage to use slips or pull on paper pants himself- the pull ups are too stretchy and do not stay open for him to put his foot through. He wants to be independent.

DM has contacted the continence service but they are not very helpful. I have said to try the Parkinson's nurse too.

I've suggested cutting out the pad from a slip and stitching it into his cotton padded pants but that's obviously a lot of faff for DM and he would need 3/4 pairs a night.

Does anyone have any "outside the box" solutions for this problem? Or know of some good products that would be better than what he already has.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sh1neAL1ght · 10/12/2024 18:45

@haveyouopenedyourbowelstoday
Thank you. His hernia would mean he couldn't use this.

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 10/12/2024 18:34

I has a poke around the Parkinsons UK website and their Continence info, but in the end found their link to Bladder and Bowel UK. They're a charity and it sounds as if they might be able to talk through some more options?

https://www.bbuk.org.uk/

Bladder & Bowel UK

https://www.bbuk.org.uk

Theoldwrinkley · 10/12/2024 18:13

The disposable elasticised pants are good. I do see you say he finds difficulty as they 'spring shut'. I cannot reach my feet, but use a grabber stick to put on pants trousers etc. I can't get dressed without it.

haveyouopenedyourbowelstoday · 10/12/2024 18:04

Would he consider a Conveen?

Original poster
Sh1neAL1ght · 10/12/2024 17:56

Thank you all for your advice. If we discover a good solution I'll let you know!

OP posts:
Harassedevictee · 10/12/2024 12:14

@Sh1neAL1ght I know it’s a difficult subject, so I started with the basics.

Have your parents sought advice from their GP and a referral for continence advice? I am not a medical person but I do know there are medications that can help, as well as alarms etc. but you need to talk to a professional to find the right solution for your Dad.

Soluckyinlove · 10/12/2024 12:03

An elderly relative now buys the disposable bed pads, which he says work well. These would obviously would mean a lot less work for your mother. He also found the incontinence nurse to be of little help.

BadgeronaMoped · 10/12/2024 11:55

When I worked as a carer, we would sometimes use a urine bag/penis sheath (I can't remember the name of the product), so it's applied before bed and removed in the morning, not indwelling like a catheter.

I am sorry to hear that the continence service have been unhelpful. That is very disappointing.

Original poster
Sh1neAL1ght · 10/12/2024 11:47

@Harassedevictee
Thank you for replying.
I think it's evolved to him waking up after.
Also, due to his hernia and his Parkinson's, he wouldn't manage a urine bottle.
I've just huffed at my mum for being negative about possible solutions and now I'm doing the same 😬😂.
My mum's worry is that there isn't a solution. I thought I'd try posting here to see what other options there might be.
The bed has double washable pads so my mum is just washing those every day and has several sets. She's upset because my dad is sad about it but hasn't got the ability to adapt to help himself.
He's stopped drinking by 7pm-ish now, is putting his feet up in the evening and is having a few wees before bed.

OP posts:
Harassedevictee · 10/12/2024 10:57

Does he wake up after or is it the time taken to get to the toilet? If it is the latter, a urine bottle means he can go straightaway.

I would also look at when he drinks, it is important he doesn’t get dehydrated but nothing to drink after say 8 or 9 pm might help.