Bladder infection may cause subtle behavior changes, one gentleman would get frisky, another lady would talk to her dead mother, another would just be irritable, the first thing we did was check for a UTI (urinary tract infection). Be sure and check if you suspect one because many complications if you let it go too long.
Is the incontinence new? Have you told her medical provider about the incontinence?
Old nurses do find it hard to change, especially what we call items. Chucks is the name we used.

I took care of my mother for a while. Had a baby monitor in the bedroom and when I heard her I would get up and go help her get changed. She is in assisted living now and they come in and change her 2 times a night. The bed still has to be changed sometimes. We have waterproof matress cover and the square pad under the sheets and on top. Good Luck

I too am a 24/7 caretaker for my Granny(97). I get "Assurance "underpads from WalMart.30x36 extra large.
You might check at a medical supply place for a hospital chuck.I have no idea why they call them chucks, but they do.
Hugs to you!

http://www.amazon.com/Priva-Ultra-Wa...044998&sr=8-11

I purchased two of these sewed them together and then added side panels to tuck under the mattress. It worked so well I purchased two more and made another one to replace the soiled one. If you have questions pm me

Take her to a Dr., don;t second guess this, not healthy

Cut back on liquids in the PM and give her some raisons to eat. The raisons soak-up liquilds in her system. These are the free things that may help.

Nurse here, that has worked many years geriatric.
Buy the water proof mattress pads that are about 30-36"" long and a little wider then the top of the mattress you are using.
That way you can tuck them under a little.
Next take a few older sheets and cut them so they are just longer then the water proof pad but keep it so that you have plenty to tuck in the sides, that covers your water proof pad and keeps it from moving. Some places even use quilted pads between the rubber pad and that top sheet you cut (draw) sheet. More comfortable in warm weather then sleeping on something that is rubberised.
Double check before restricting fluids as many elderly get dehydrated easily. There is also medications that help with control. Also check the meds she is on as some diuretic's may
be causing the problem and hours she takes her meds can be changed.

You are a wonderful person to care for your mother. If you have children you will be an example on to how to treat their parents. I don't have a solution but, maybe limiting liquids at night or check her meds. to see that could be causing the problem. Have you talked to her Dr. about this problem? Somethimes the medication can be changed to AM. Talking to the DR's. nurse sometimes is even more help. This not normal and should be checked, for a cause.
My grandmother lived with us. Mom did not have a dryer it was sheets hanging on wooden dryers all winter. But when my folks were in need I never thought about driving 300 miles (one way) every weekend. Wish I could still go for a visit.
We care for our parents because we remember who they were and what they did for us. It must be very uncomfortable for her at night. Let us know if you find a solution, it could be helpful to someone else.
Let me know how it is going. Hang in there.

See if your local hospital has an incontinence clinic or consult a doctor. Many solutions are minimally invasive.

Caffeine contributes to this. If she is drinking any, eliminate it. The other suggestions on the board sound great. Try them.

Definitely DON'T stop her drinking liquids. Worst thing you can do because they get dehydrated and the medications cause them to have delusions, etc. and then they will soon be refusing to drink. My MIL God rest her soul was incontinent for years and I took care of her & FIL. As soon as she would decide she didn't need to drink here came a bladder infection. Started to get looney and all sorts of other things. So keep on with liquids--water is most important, cranberry juice for protection against bladder infections works too. she drank a glass of that every morning. Wish she was still here, but they have been gone for 12 yrs her and 11 yrs him. We used the chux and the overnight brand of depends--got them by the case --UPS would deliver them right to the door. Every once in a whhile I see them advertised in the coupons that come with the Sunday paper.

I volunteer with a non-profit that advocates for elders who live in long-term care, and I see a lot of this. Many times, incontinence is caused by a low-grade urinary tract infection, so you might want to have your mother checked for that. The Depends panties, not pads, also work well at night, although they can be a little pricey - I think WalMart and others may have a cheaper store brand. Also, there are throw-away and washable pads you can place on the bed in the areas where your mother lies that will catch and soak up the urine. Meds may help. She may also be like many women who have had children and the muscles in her pelvic floor are weakened and age doesn't help. If she is healthy, her bladder may need to be tacked up and that will help incontinence. I went through this when my own mother lived with me, and part of it was the beginning of dementia/Alzheimer's, and if that is the case, they often lose the ability to detect the urge to go to the bathroom and so they have accidents. In that case, sometimes meds, etc. work and sometimes they don't. The key, to me, is to enjoy this time with an elderly parent. Many people don't get that gift of time with an elderly parent. And, take some time for yourself and don't be afraid to ask for help from family and friends. Your role as a caretaker for your mother is important, but you also need to take care of you so you can, in turn, take care of her.

[quote=SueDor]Hospitals and I know special drug stores have these blue things they look like 24 in x 24 in. thsoe are suppose to be waterproof along with waterproof mattress pads. This iwhat I used for my mom.[/

They are called chucks. I use to use them yrs ago when Mother Nature came to protect my bedding.

Oh, and I forgot. If your mother is on certain kinds of high blood pressure medicine and heart medications, they can increase her need to urinate, and that urge may come very quickly without warning. So, I would quiz her doctor about this, especially is she is taking a diuretic. He may be able to prescribe another drug that won't create that problem. I agree with others about the water -- elderly people lose their taste for water as they age, and you really need to ensure that they are getting plenty of water each day to prevent urinary tract infections.

Suggestion: They make a diaper that ties on each side. It is a plastic outside, inside is soft flannel, in the center there is a 3 inch wide by two twelve inch pieces of flannel that you fold over three times in the center. This will fit between the legs and creates a more absorbant diaper. I purchase them from a health store when my little boy use to wet the bed at night. Worked like a charm, then the Dr. suggested we have in sleep in warm flannel pajamas as he was probably getting chilled. Saved a lot of linens to wash. God bless you. Shirley Smaldino

I would definitely speak with her doctor about this problem. I don't know what your normal routine is like, but I would make sure to limit fluid intake after a certain time of the evening...BUT you should check with her doctor about this.. In the meantime, I would make sure to take her to the bathroom before bed. Do you know if she wakes up during the night? If so, you might take her to the bathroom at that time. As we get older we all tend to need to empty our bladder in the middle of the morning. This will probably mess with your routine, but if it works it will save you a lot of bed changing in the morning, and I'm sure your mother will be much more comfortable also.

Just be sure to speak with her doctor to see if there may be some help to be gained, and if this is new to the doctor, he/she will appreciate knowing.

Have you had the doctor or nurse check to make sure she's not getting a diuretic too close to bed time? Often they are prescribed twice a day, and if you don't know better, you'd give it at say 10 am and bedtime. But with furosemide, or other diuretics, you should take them as early as possible in the day - say 8 or earlier if you're up, then the second dose before supper so it has time to work before bedtime. Just a suggestion.
Also, in the hospital we have washable bed pads that are about 30" by 38". they are a cotton top, with a layer of padding, then a waterproof layer and then the bottom layer. The bottom layer is skid resistant so they stay in place. They can also be tucked up and around to reinforce an adult diaper.

Hi,all good sugestions.But ya,#1 -Dr. visit. #2 - waterproof matres covers (3). #3- bed pads (all sizes) 12 at least. #4 - medicare will pay for all these things even the depends.My hubby sometimes has accidents,and our dog, and this is what we do.Works out great.And no,I don't cut off liquids from either of them.I can wash the bedding,give them a bath,change the bed,not a big deal to me.One day I might have a problem and would want it done for me.Dignity always wins at my house.

I have been caring for my Grandfather for 6 years. He is 98. I hate the chucks. They were such a pain in the you know what. I never thought about duct tape but then I would have gone through a few rolls a week at that rate.
We ordered the really thick depends and those really helped too. I purchased some very soft vinal 60" wide that had a soft fabric feel on the other side, at JoAnns. It was wide enough that I could tuck in under the mattress on both sides so it would not slip or bunch up. It worked great and Grandpa said it did not make him sweat against it like other waterproof protections. I kept 3 on hand to rotate as needed. I had considered buying a couple of those drain pads you can buy at Bed Bath and Beyond for draining dishes on. I have a couple of them and I am amazed at how much liquid they can hold and yet not be soggy like sheets on the bed can get.
He got so bad with the need to urinate so often and started falling at night when he needed to use the bedside commode, that for safety sake he ended up with a cathether. It made his life so much easier. When he finally could not stand and I could not lift him, we put him into a very nice nursing home here in town. At first they took the catheter out but quickly saw he was up at all times of the night and was making a lot of mistakes in the bed so they put it back in. Life is much better for him now. As long as he drinks plenty of liquids and cranberry juice he does just fine with it.

I used to put a plastic sheet under a double folded cotton sheet , this forms a "draw sheet" which can be taken off and replaced WITHOUT having to make the bed each time.
However you deal with this ,plse rub your Mother's pressure points, unless skin broken, with surgical spirit it will prevent bed sores, my gran was like this for 9 mths and never had a bed sore.

God bless you for caring for her like you are. We should all be so blessed as to have someone who loves us take care of us in our end-time years.

You may have to rent a hospital bed with the special mattresses made for this problem. I think they are plastic so you won't have to worry about the mattress, just change the sheets.

Good suggestions. I would NOT restrict liquids without dr's approval. When I cared for my mother in later years we found that speaking to the dr about adjusting when she took her lasix helped a lot. also they have extra pads to be used with the depends and hospital supply stores have better and more asorbent versions then you can buy in regular stores.

A lot of ladies have this problem. Try a under pad You get it where you buy the diapers. For night time wear probably the kind of diapers that have to tab closures will help. You could change her easier and put a skin protector on her like vaseline. This will help her from getting diaper rash. My mother had pads like a very small quilt type she used. It does protect the bed. I took care of my father and this worked very well for him. Good Luck. I admire you for this but she took care of you. Moms are very special.

Please be very careful about restricting fluids as seniors dehydrate quickly. Work with your doctor or nurse regarding bladder training. Good luck.

I have quilted pads that go under my mom for the same reason,at the medical store or on line they are called chucks.They are alot easier than doing the sheets and bed things every day.

At hospitals they have blue pads that they put under them or you can buy rubber sheeting with fleece on one side and cut to cover the sheet where she wets and long enough to tuck the ends under the mattress. Look on line they have products for this. Remember you aren't alone. I had my mother-in-law in our home for 7 years, last year I couldn't care for her because I couldn't lift her so had to put her where they could care for her, she couldn't even help when I bathed her, very hard but I'm 72 and have a bad back and knees. It is now my job to see that she is taken care of. I will keep you both in my prayers. My mother in law is 96.
Thoughts and prayers
Mia

Has your Mom been checked for Diabetes?
We make the bed 2/3 times so when the top layer gets wet we just take it off and have a dry one.
Blessings,
Karon

I am not sure if this would help, but, I think they sell chucks, it is the disposable pad that you would see in the hospital, it has a blue lining on the bottom to prevent anything from getting to the sheets, it looks like a puppy training pad only larger.

First of all, cudos to you for taking care of your mother and keeping her home where she should be!
I have a quadraplegic 19 year old daughter, and I also take care of my disabled ex-mother in law. The least expensive solution for this problem I have found was buying the baby bed mattress protectors at the thrift store, cutting the sides off them, and putting them sideways across their beds, putting a folded flat sheet over that for a draw sheet.
They are waterproof,they keep the rest of the bedding dry, and they don't slip. My daughter sometimes has to be changed 2 times a night, so I do this twice on her bed. Remove the top(wet) one, and she is on a fresh one, all in one roll. She does move around in the bed, but it's rare she gets off the mattress padding.
You can also get "diaper doublers" at the medical supply company. They are lifesavers!
I have also seen back sleeper women use the male depends backwards for nighttime.
you are gettign wonderful suggestions on here, and I will watch this thread. Even after 19 years of 24/7, I am still open to suggestions! God Bless.

I have just read 4+ pages written by amazing people. I do not have to care for a senior (yet), nor do I have a disabled child. I just wanted to let you all know, I have the utmost respect and admiration for those of you who are caregivers, you truly are priceless.

My grandson has a problem with wetting the bed. He is now on medication and doing better. If he takes it around 7 or 8 and goes to the bathroom before he goes to bed at 10:00 he will not wet the bed. It seems as if he takes it later it doesn't have time to take effect. He usually wets within the first 2 hours after falling asleep.

He used a blow up mattress for years, now he has a two yard piece of plastic that covers his bed. They sell it buy the yard at JoAnn's. The pads that most people use do not absorb well enough for him.
Good Luck
Syl

When I was potty training both my boys (at the same time, sleeping in the same bed) I used Protect-a-bed mattress protector. They are not sweaty or noisy. In fact I like them so much, I got one for every bed in the house. When the boys were peeing constantly all night, I put a saddle style mattress protector then a fitted sheet and another saddle style mattress protector and another fitted sheet. Each time they wet, I just peeled back a layer and rolled them over to the clean layer underneath and went back to bed. They absorb a lot and stay in place pretty well (not slippery on the back). http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/...tegoryId=86184

Another idea is to layer bamboo velour with a "batting" of a product called ZORB with PUL for the waterproof lining and make your own matress pads or adult sized diapers. Usually used to make cloth diapers or mama cloths. Super absorbant, soft on the skin, but still creates laundry.

Call her doctor to order incontinence pads, they should be covered by her medicare.

Medicare should cover the pads and the meds. good idea

nursing homes use the extra thick quilted pads underneath patients. they also use paper pads on top of those or under those so it doesn't touch the bed. its much easier to wash pads than the whole bed. why dont you try a rubber sheet also. i used those with my son who had such a problem with bedwetting. I understand how frustrating it is and hope this will help.

The pads will be disposable and they will "wick away" the moisture. Plastic mattress pads will not. She needs to keep her fragile skin dry to prevent breakdown. God Bless You all! She is lucky to have you to care for her.

They only thing that saved my from having to do laundry every day with my dad was using the blue backs like they have at the hospital along with the depends. If he did go through the depends the blue backs kept the sheets dry that way if he got up in the middle of the night because he was wet, all I had to do was throw away the soiled blue backs and put new ones down. I did also by a rubberized mattress pad, like you would have in a babys crib to save the mattress, just in case the disposable pads got moved. Ii was lucky enough to know people at our local hospital, who would order them in bulk for me so I paid much less than I would at a med supply store.