Hello all, my loved one is in late stage dementia and in long term care. She struggles immensely with going #2 on herself. She tries to get up on her own and falls, as she is a 2 person assist. She will tell me when she needs to go, but I’m not sure if she will tell them as I have not been there when/if she has. I have asked for a bed side to make it easier for the aids multiple times, but it didn’t happen. I have mentioned her struggling to do it on herself as she still gets the urge and doesn’t like the idea of doing it in her brief (I mean, who would, right?) I have noticed when she needs to go, she tries getting up by herself and won’t settle. How do I let them know that I feel this is what is causing falls, and how do I ask for it to be resolved? Ty.
Often they will place people that are a fall risk near the Nurse's Station so they can keep any eye on people. And if someone is watching when she indicates she has to use the washroom they might get her there. More often than not they really are not "watching"
You can ask for a Care Plan Meeting and express your frustration with this.
I will say though it is unusual that someone in "late stage dementia" will still want to use the toilet for a bowel movement that may be why the staff is less inclined to get her cues.
If she is on somewhat of a "schedule" where she has a BM at about the same time daily they might be inclined to get her on the toilet at that time and see if that works.
Might want to request a Tilt Back Wheelchair so she is less able to get out of it that will help eliminate falls
The bedside commode certainly does come in very handy when someone has trouble walking far, or can't hold their bladder or bowels for long.