bed pads: would you kindly give me your thoughts I... - NRAS

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bed pads

philvaughan profile image
16 Replies

would you kindly give me your thoughts

I have a multitude of serious illnesses and have been having many social services reports the most recent suggests that I use bed pads for the days or nights that i struggle to get out of bed I am not incontinent is this reasonable

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philvaughan profile image
philvaughan
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16 Replies
KittyJ profile image
KittyJ

No I don’t think it is at all reasonable. They’re saying you should wet yourself basically. Surely there must be a better solution, I’m astounded that this is what it’s come to 😞 Forgive me for assuming but by your name I’m guessing you’re a man and there are other options that aren’t so easy for women. A bottle for instance? Is bed pads all they can suggest🤷🏻‍♀️

madme1 profile image
madme1 in reply toKittyJ

That's what they said about my mum, just put a bed pad underneath her and the carers will change her when they come either in the morning or hours later. It's disgusting. I have a water proof cover with wings, and the doctor told me he'd give my a tablet to reduce the urine, but said I could be allergic to it and it may interfere with the frusomide.

KittyJ profile image
KittyJ in reply tomadme1

It’s a total disgrace.

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady

Are they trying to avoid sending carers to help you to get out of bed? That seems wrong on so many levels.

philvaughan profile image
philvaughan in reply toBoxerlady

Many thanks for your reply IN 2018 I became homeless and was placed in a hostel in 2019 I had a social ;report done it stated that I had many complex health issue including a terminal lung disease and that I required occasional over night care but the carer could sleep on a sofa bed I was subsequently moved to a 1 bedroomed sheltered bungalow.

the law states that to have a sleeping carer they must have there own bedroom after 2 years of arguing and about 10 social reports it was agreed to have the care I require I would need a 2 bedroomed property to allow for carer however my case was then closed ?.

once my local council received my report they immediately rehoused me and I had to re apply for care I've had a further 10 or so reports done they have offered me 8 hours of care per week and a chemical toilet for the days or nights that I cannot get out of bed ?

so the simple answer to your question you are exactly correct

Pippy25 profile image
Pippy25

I don't know if you have asked them what is there reasoning for this, but as KittyJ said I too don't think it is reasonable and surely there are more preventative, proactive and positive ways to discuss this with you should it be appropriate for you and your needs. My late mum who at the time was struggling to walk and had no other issues (bear in mind it is now almost 7 years since she passed and the last 3 years of her life due to her diagnosed illness she lost her continence due to a neurological disease) she was told the very same thing, mainly because they were 'struggling' to put any care in to assist her despite us purchasing all the equipment and us having paid for a fully functioning toileting area and wet room. They suggested she wore nappy pads and also that she did not drink anything after 8pm, which she could not possibly do due to meds which needed a glass of water to dissolve in and was dangerous to even suggest she do this.

I would again ask them for their reasoning behind this suggestion, again surely an assessment or visit from say the occupational therapy or a continence service would have been done if this were required. There are things available to enable people to get out of bed or a range of aids such as bottles for males, so why not discuss the suitability or options for this and the appropriateness of if you may need someone to assist you even. If this is purely a case of 'convenience' to reduce any service on their part I would challenge this, as with my dear mum having dignity and the ability to remain continent is so important and if it is not a medical matter, then why are they suggesting this as.

Best Wishes.

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase

Goodness, I totally with the others, that sounds a horrible idea. As Pippy and the others have said it’s not good enough and there must be ways of dealing with it other than suggesting someone who is not incontinent use bed pads. Someone from occupational health needs to come and assess your needs. There must be equipment that could help you.

Whatever you do don’t cut back on your liquid intake or you will get dehydrated and you could becomes really ill.

Pippy25 profile image
Pippy25 in reply toFruitandnutcase

Absolutely agree with you about fluid intake and I was horrified that they would suggest it when they did to my mum without having any knowledge of her medical history and would never suggest anyone do this without proper medical advice from someone who knows your medical conditions.

helixhelix profile image
helixhelix

No, not reasonable!! You must be very clear that this is not acceptable to you.

Mmrr profile image
Mmrr

As an ex nurse I am frankly horrified at what you are being asked to do. The suggestion is not acceptable, at all, ever and goes against the principles of dignity and respect which are embedded into the NHS.

What other solutions have been explored for you ?

vonniesims profile image
vonniesims

I agree. Have the district nurses been involved, or your local continence team ?There are continence systems which work well on men if you can't use a bottle. I dont think social workers are the right people to assess this issue. Good luck with it

Nessa28 profile image
Nessa28

There are no words , for the emotions I am feeling . It is not acceptable , you have your dignity and that is not being considered . Please ask for a urgent referral to the continence team . They will come out and access you and hopefully , this will be one thing less to worry about .

barbieg profile image
barbieg

This is totally unacceptable but I’m wondering if you maybe misheard and they said bed pan? Perhaps I’m being silly but that was my first thought.

oldtimer2 profile image
oldtimer2

1. That's unacceptable2. You needs aids to help you get out of bed. Have a look on the internet - there are lots from handles, hoists to ladder pulls.

3. A commode next to the bed might help so that you don't have to walk far?

trunchalobesity profile image
trunchalobesity

NoWhat they are suggesting is that you lay in your soiled bed.

That’s not acceptable, not only is it degrading but you are likely to get sores.

Bethany02 profile image
Bethany02

No definately not urinals are available for men and urosheaths which empty into a bag your district nurses should be able to help

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