Follow
Share

91 yo mom's knees are a problem. She can't really put weight on them right now without being in excruciating pain. She can get to a sitting position on the edge of the bed! So, couldn't we put the bed pan in position and have her roll up to sitting position on it? Sorry, we are just trying to find a way to cope in uncharted waters.



Just wondering if this has been a solution for anyone else...


THANK YOU!

Find Care & Housing
I had a procedure done a few years ago and for 6 hrs afterwards I wasn't allowed to stand up.

OMGoodness---the hilarity that ensued b/c I could not stand to walk to the bathroom, and I could NOT raise myself up enough to get that ice cold bedpan under me. It was getting to be desperate. The nurse left for a few minutes, the Dr came in and I told him I was 'dying'--he said "I'll hold the door so nobody can come in. Hurry and use the bathroom".

Thank heavens for him! He knew I wasn't going to bleed out, and nurses simply have to follow orders.

On to your problem--sadly, it's probably time for 24/7 incontinence briefs. I'm sure it will take some getting used to, but mother wore these for a while and she actually was happier. They never felt wet to her and she liked not having to get up to used the bathroom every hour.

So many CG's wind up with a bad back or knees from trying to lift a patient. You're no good if you are incapacitated!
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Midkid58
Report

I wouldn't try it. Even after taking care of four family dementia patients, I don't have the training to keep a person with her issues safe in this situation. This maneuver seems like it would require a two-person assist. Can you always have two people there when it's time?

It isn't feasible for amateurs to take care of the elderly when they get to this point. The last thing you want to do is hurt them more, yet that's what could happen. Please start looking at places where professionals can take care of mom.

"Oh, but we love her so much and promised we'd never put her in a horrible disgusting awful miserable NURSING HOME!!!" Modern facilities aren't like that. Go check some out, and understand the difference between professional care and that provided by untrained family. At such a place the waters are charted, and you wouldn't have to fret over mom's ever-increasing needs.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Fawnby
Report

I can’t imagine that this would work. I started to type out an alternative but really think you should have a therapist come out and assess the situation if your mom isn’t completely bedbound. We just don’t have enough information, including your mom’s sitting tolerance and balance. Perhaps you could tell us why a bedpan isn’t working the conventional way? Not that they’re easy for sure. I agree with Scampie.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to MidwestOT
Report

To tell you the truth, I don't like using bedpans even though this is part of the CNA/HHA training.

I think once someone is incontinent and bedbound, adult briefs with the tabs are the easiest. There are lots of youtube videos on how to do the changing and removal.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Scampie1
Report
JoAnn29 Feb 23, 2025
I wouldn't want to have to use one either. I am going to be such a lousy patient.
(0)
Report
Are you saying your mother is bedbound? If she cannot stand long enough to transfer to a bedside commode it sounds like she is or soon will be.
In that case I think you need to assess how long you as one person can do the care of several shifts of several workers each without putting your own back out of commission. What then for your Mom?

You need to contact medical team for options of pain control, bracing, rehab, PT, of acceptance Mom is bedbound. At that point there are many videos on bing and youtube to instruct you on "Bedpans for bedridden seniors". When they cannot be used (they eventually become dangerous in terms of sores from the unpadded plastic) she will be in diapers and assist with change.

Not knowing her history, seeing your mom, etc. makes this really a subject to explore with mom's medical people. We as strangers can't help much and I say that as an old retired RN.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter