Thursday, August 02, 2007

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

9 comments:

  1. ((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU)))))))))))))))Have a nice weekend.

    http://journals.aol.com/hugsdoodlewacky/Mandy

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  2. Hey Patrick.....I think the industries out there that supply those products should turn around and give caregivers "something".  Just had to add my 2 cents' worth!
    Hugs,
    Gina
    http://journals.aol.com/motoxmom72/GinasWeigtLossJourney

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  3. I will keep nature's miracle in mind--it's a good tip.

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  4. thanks....I am off to find nature's miricle! that is as soon as someone comes to "aide" so I can leave! LOL

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  5. Again Patrick...thank you for the tip on the laundry! I use depends and I agree with you, you get what you pay for!
    Lisa

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  6. It comes up sometimes but these are great tips!

    Thanks again Patrick!
    XXOO
    Tammy

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  7. Thanks for the tips, Patrick!!
    Jackie

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  8. As you can imagine the subject comes up fairly often in my line of work, LOL.  And if more and more people use the new diet pill Allie the subject of depends will come up more often in theirs, giggle.  Great tips though.  I may be needing them for my MIL soon.


                         Julie

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