Caregiving: eau de urine

How often in a “typical” chat between two people do incontinence, bladder accidents, and tips for clean up work their way into conversation? 

 

I am blessed with a washer and dryer in our home. Many caregivers need to use laundromats. That is an exponentially more difficult challenge including everything from social stigma of eau de urine to how to store urine soiled laundry.

 

On a worst case day with Patti at home, I must do 2 to 3 loads of incontinence related laundry. A caregiver requiring a laundromat is quickly overwhelmed.

 

Incontinence and bladder control affects not only the obvious such as clothing and bed linens but furniture, car seats, carpeting, and of course wheel chairs.

 

With the graying of America and booming sales of ‘Depend’ products it is safe to say this topic will affect more than just veteran home caregivers.

 

In our story, I guess it has been over a decade that incontinence (both bladder and bowel) has been a daily part of living with Multiple Sclerosis as a family. I’ve learned some truths, the hard way …

 

ü  “DEPEND” products cannot be imitated. Generics have not been worth the cost savings. … “Depend Boost” inserts for women, or “Depend Guards for Men” are more than worth the additional cost to improve “Depend” underwear protection especially if an outing or sleep will make changing difficult.

 

ü  After exhausting every known retail cleaning product unsuccessfully I cannot believe that as a cat owner it took me so many years to connect the dots that urine is urine. I swear by “NATURE’S MIRACLE”, available in pet stores. I use it for everything related to incontinence from pre-treating laundry, to laundry, to cleaning and shampooing furniture, car seats, and carpeting.

 

(For the record, I have never received a penny from the above products or manufacturers.)

 

Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer

http://www.youtube.com/daddyleer

http://www.myspace.com/patrickleer

Tags: caregiving, Multiple Sclerosis, incontinence, Depend, Nature's Miracle