Tips on home care items I should have nursing a bed bound relative

[Stuffineed]

Male. Relative basically in bed, can transfer to commode when not feeling too exhausted, unfortunately is very loose in bowel movements and now they are too tired to move from the bed.

I am going through lots of absorbent beds sheets and incontinence pads.
any advice on what to do, ie can you get smaller pads to just tuck under bottom? Currently I’m cutting them up.

can’t help feeling I’m doing it all wrong, not getting home care until tomorrow.

any tips on what’s best to do greatly appreciated

You can get adult nappies, sometimes called slips. We have used some from Boots and ordered online 'Molicare' from Hartmann - https://www.hartmanndirect.co.uk/. They keep the loose motion from spreading, mostly.

Best for overall bed coverage to try to spare the laundry is the Huggies cot bed protectors - largest area and good corner sticking pads to keep in place.

Have a closing bin and bin bags to hand. Baby wipes are gentle when cleaning. Try to get a good barrier cream to apply - there's one with honey in it.

Best way to approach this, as I am sure you are finding, is just to be practical and kind and not think too much about the relationship between you.

Hope the homecare is good and gives you a chance to catch your breath.

I get my mum the tena pro slip super pants, they’re like nappies & are very absorbent. Not cheap, but worth it & if the carers can’t get her to stand on the rotunda, they’re easy to put on by rolling her.

Then put puppy pads on the bed.

I would contact the gp surgery to see if relative can have a continence assessment - I think usually by district nurses - then pads may be provided.

Are you in contact with your local district nurse service? Your gp can refer you. They will have plenty of hints and tips and hopefully be able to refer your relative for a continence assessment

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Washable-Bed-Protector-without-Tucks/dp/B008JEUG6W/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1ZVT88QSCYS4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RayFT3ho8eS3F4Jc7WQ48L5IWAesokiqta1qKZLEJ_AW9tkZfYJAi_YAhCxWfmB4kCcWj2t6QhOVnHVrxGecaigJtQvPewQokBsgRNWSEwtoOoGnaQAwW_OVDo1X8xQN_eu-74cF7UW1GRElLA3TRBtHXUAIxsGTyFjrzh4Y1zFuVsGElIgTGjQO7rVv6Nfb-rKqiNoj_eC_IPRViLrmTg.TxaolUIB_agMzkGyEMpIEUB6s1Q-mpqzA3NOg1fFmCQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=washable+incontinence+bed+pads&qid=1734300040&sprefix=washable+inc%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-3

Washable bed pads - sorry for the awful link!

Plastic urine bottle

Waterproof duvet cover

Bed table is excellent for putting drinks etc on

Big washing basket that can be lined with bin liners to put soiled bedding into. Take out, use bin bag to avoid getting your hands dirty.

Arrange for council to collect the disposable incontinence waste - our council collect on request

Get an outside lidded bin to keep the incontinence waste bags in - reduces smells

Washing up bowl for bed baths

https://www.hartmanndirect.co.uk/molicare-skin-cleansing-foam/4052199260907 cleansing foam wash for when changing pads

Use a tray/top of chest of drawers/small table to keep ,a stock of supplies needed for changing in one place. Gloves/aprons/pads/foam wash/nappy bags for waste/wet wipes etc

Label the drawers with PJs, pads, spare bedding etc so the carers know where things are and don't need to look for things.

You should be being provided with this stuff. I didn't have to buy or provide a thing when caring for my late husband.

Contact their GP and ask for a referral. The district nurse team and an occupational health professional assessed our needs and got the items delivered, either on loan (the commode, the bed etc) or as regular deliveries (the bed pads, the incontinence pads etc)

Drinking straws or reusable bottle.

Lidded coffee cup - drinking in bed is a pain and this helps avoid spilled drinks. Is more dignified than a cup with a spout.

Yes as others have said, protect the bedding and there are adult nappies which are really good. The ones that are not pull ups are better for bed bound. Although if its leakage - you could try those thick pads into bottom/the crack area idk how to explain it, they're really thick pads that are for peeing not periods. I put a peeing pad into adult nappy because in my case sometimes my elderly relative doesn't make it to the toilet and pees a bit but not enough to have to change the adult nappy so then I just change that pee pad. Makes things cheaper.

If staying in bed and unable to reposition they may need a special mattress (the district nurses will be able to advise on this) and the thicker fabric bed pads should not be used with these as it prevents the mattress from doing it’s job to prevent bed sores.
Inco sheets/ puppy pads can be bought in bulk and work out much cheaper than using full thickness pads like tena but have lower absorbency so need changing regularly if there’s any volume but work well by protecting the sheets from marks. If changing frequently I prefer these to the pads so you can prevent any faeces from being left on the skin.
Non fragranced wet wipes
Nurses can advise on local availability of barrier creams but Medi-derma or cavilon are good brands. The medi derma pro cleansing spray and ointment are fantastic for broken skin, but again the district nurses would be able to advise.
Nappy/ decent size dog poo bags for soiled pads and wipes that can be tied.
A urinal bottle for wee’s
A decent beaker to make sure he can still get plenty of fluid even when in bed (watch out for coughing after food or fluids)
Our team like dark and light flannels and towels so we can prevent any cross contamination but that will depend on personal choice.

Credit to you for caring for him so far, it’s a tough job. Have you got all the support you need?

Thanks. Lots of meetings in next couple of days to sorts things out but of course he came home Friday and the GP was closed by the time I knew he was coming out.

appreciate all the tips xxx