The patient/caregiver was educated on caring for the voiding and elimination needs for Alzheimer’s patients as follows:
- Occasionally Alzheimer’s patients could not realize the purpose of the restroom trip and so, sit on the toilet for a minute or two and walk out without performing the task. Caregiver can leave a reminder for the same, with instructions for voiding posted in bold, on the wall facing the toilet in the restroom.
- Attempting to double void on the restroom trip can help better bladder emptying and reduce the risk for urinary back-up and consequent urinary tract infections. Caregiver can leave a reminder for the same, with instructions posted in bold, on the wall facing the toilet in the restroom.
- Reduced physical activity, increased sedentary lifestyle, reduced fluid & nutrition intake can often contribute to slowing of bowels in senior citizens. Individuals with coexisting Alzheimer’s can be at increased risk for constipation, as they stand a high chance to present with all the contributory factors to slowed bowels discussed above. Individuals with slowed bowel movements and constipation can benefit with relief measures, such as, compliance with intake of recommended fluid volume, weight bearing with activity as tolerated, increasing fiber in diet, and use of stool softeners, as recommended. Use of probiotics to restore a healthy balance in the gut can also help. Caregivers must be proactive to this effect and exercise caution regarding compliance with all the relief measures suggested for relief and prevention of constipation.
