Has anyone suggestions for alternative to wet wipes for toileting use?

[XSitch38]

My mom has end stage vascular dementia and is doubly incontinent. I currently use large wipes to clean her, especially at weekends when I do personal care on my own. As I have to clean mom on the bed, flannels have become cumbersome and mom is unable to assist me in moving her to assist access to areas that need attention if you get my drift? I have also stopped using flannels as sometimes you think she has finished 'going' only to be faced with more, and I was getting through several flannels each time, which then needed to be washed. I want to do my bit for the environment and don't flush these as we have a septic tank (and wouldn't anyway) but they are popped in a nappy bag and disposed of in separate waste bags collected by our local council. I agree with the government that wipes are not ideal to use but please don't ban them until an alternative has been thought up, especially for those of us with 'big babies' to keep clean. It's not just little bottoms that need wiping.

[sassy59]

That’s a real problem XSitch and one I can’t think of an answer to st the moment. Wipes do seem to be the best way forward at the moment.

Your doing a wonderful job caring for your mum and I wish you well. Xxxxx

[XSitch38 in reply to sassy59]

Thank you so much for your encouraging words x

[Hidden]

Hi XSitch38,

I really feel that, of all people, you are perfectly entitled to use wet wipes without guilt and worry for the environment. Adult faeces are extremely difficult to have to cope with, especially with all the other care requirements for someone of adult weight, appetite and so on.

If you want to help the environment, I'd suggest doing it another, easier way, such as using only biodegradable detergents for cleaning/washing up etc., or taking your other recycling to a slightly higher level if you can.

In my humble opinion you have quite enough to cope with at present. Millions of other people are recklessly using wipes when maybe flannels and reusable diapers could and should be used as they once were, for infants.

Don't guilt trip yourself over needing to use something which is not, perhaps, quite as environmentally friendly as you would like. Whilst you are making sacrifices, nurses will be happily wiping away using the very same product you are eschewing.

Very best wishes.

[XSitch38 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. I've always done my recycling bit and agree I should feel entitled to use wipes. However I do wish there was a better option as I seem to get through so many. I agree about nurses as I spent two nights in hospital with mom a couple of years ago after she had a fall, and the nurses only used wipes to clean her - not a bowl of hot soapy water in sight! I wonder if the powers that be that want to see the back of these wipes realise the NHS would be lost without them. We need someone to reinvent them so they are disposable. Thanks for your support x

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi XStitich,

I understand your dilemma, and I do think the government needs to think about viable eco-friendly alternatives, especially for people with disabilities, health problems and for parents with children. I've been looking into this for my own personal use. There are alternatives to using a flannel or sponge. Here is a link to a person's blog on the subject with links to eco-friendly products. This is not a professional site and I am not endorsing anything they say, but it may kick-start your search: refinery29.uk/2018/05/19850...

In regards to helping you clean up your mum, the physicality of moving and handling her may need to be addressed e.g. using a hoist (which social services may be able to lend you), slide sheets (which a made of washable, nylon type material that you slide your mum onto her side. Have you or your mum had an at home needs assessment done by your local Social Services, as you may find you can get training and equipment to help care for your mum? You need to protect your back and take care of your health too. Here are some links for you think about that might give you some ideas:

Carer's UK

carersuk.org/help-and-advic...

Age UK

ageuk.org.uk/information-ad...

Citizens Advice Bureau

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

Carers Trust:

carers.org/article/dementia

Hope this helps. Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes,

MAS Nurse

[XSitch38 in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Thank you so much for your advice and support. Have been looking after mom for nearly seven years, but only deteriorated to end stage last eighteen months, and seems determined to carry on bless her. Have had assessments, used standing hoist and now progressed to gantry hoist, and have had the usual training. I did request a toileting sling to use with this but the OT felt mom was too frail now. I have a PA who helps me 17 hours per week and my hubby assists in the evening, but I have some weekends when he's working. We can't get a care agency as social services have tried, but we are too rural. Just making the best if it but feel that in the 21st century there should be a kinder and more dignified way if toileting people in their later years. I will look at the sites you have me links to, I appreciate your help.

[XSitch38]

Thank you. Thats so kind of you.

[Vonnieruth]

Ask your gp if they can prescribe you them I know in the home I work we have large tubs with. Large wipes in on a roll If you cannot have them prescribed asked at chemist Failing that let me know and I will see if I can get contact number if our suppliers of the cleaners who do the ordering

[Uzula in reply to Vonnieruth]

Can you let me know too Ruth please.X

[Vonnieruth in reply to Uzula]

Will do

[XSitch38 in reply to Vonnieruth]

Thank you so muvh. Will have a word with district nurses.

[Uzula]

Hello XSitch38, I also use wipes for mum but I would be interested to know where to get large ones from as I currently have to use two together as they are too flimsy to use singly and yes, you are doing a great job!! Best wishes.xx

[foxglove in reply to Uzula]

Boots own brand continence wipes I found best for cleaning my husband, - Alzheimer's and is now in a care home in EMI unit I looked after him for almost 8 years at home and it got more impossible but i persevered. He had to be admitted to hospital then I had to call emergency services for myself and also admitted to (same) hospital, I was eventually dxd with heart failure and had to be moved to other hosp. to have aortic valve sorted...TAVI as my heart was too weak for open heart, long story and i know husband well cared for but even though I visit regularly how I miss him, feel failure that I just cant look after him at home!! Moved from point, do try Boots wipes!! Good luck and wish you well in your care

[XSitch38 in reply to Uzula]

I have been using Conti Wipes ordered online from a company called Just Gloves, from whom I also get gloves and shampoo caps. These are large size but not biodegradable. Shower caps are useful when PA on holiday as am unable to get mom in shower on my own so cannot wash her hair. Foxglove has suggested Boots own continence wipes so I will investigate.

[5855]

Yes , I Buy my Mum JACKSON REESE BIODEGRADABLE WIPES £20 FOR 10 PACKS OF AMAZON , WOULDNT BE WITHOUT THEM NOW ! HOPE THAT HELPS XX

[Ladyuponthelake in reply to 5855]

Good to know because I need them. Thank You!

👍🌻

[secrets22]

XSitch38

I use a huge amount of wet wipes for my partner David,and I do find them especially useful,but ocassionally if he has major problems on the commode I have started using the large cloths from the Pound shop,and then throw them away in the yellow medical waste bags.

It really is a nightmare keeping everything clean and hygienic ,but I do it every day and night,so dont get concerned about using wet wipes.

[XSitch38 in reply to secrets22]

Thank you. Feel for you. Its the worst part of caring but at least we know they've got clean botts!

[Vonnieruth]

Karomoist body wipes Alcohol and lanolin free 224 wipes in tub

Warren Bruce Road Trafford Park Manchester M17 1LB

TEL [phone]

Hope this helps you

[Ladyuponthelake]

I don't think you could say it better than Callendersgal.

I'm responding to reiterate what Callendersgal has said and to send moral support to let you know how fantastic you are. Your hands and heart are full. Well done YOU. I think you deserve a star rather than guilt.

I am sending prayers for your Mum and healing thoughts for you. God Bless

❤❤❤

[lenam]

I agree with the posts below, that if your mother is bed bound, you already have enough to think about just keeping her dignified and clean and you shouldn't worry. I looked after my father with dementia who was bed bound, there is no alternative to wipes that I came across. We used to use dry wipes with warm water to clean, and then wet wipes for deeper cleaning and for the last wipe, as they were more expensive, I found the Clinell range very good, soft and big enough to be folded and used again on another face for deeper cleaning. In the hospital, in which he spent some time in , we had access to a hoist with which they could hoist him into a commode where he could pass, and then wheeled into a bathroom where he was given a warm shower which helped him pass more and then you could clean with water with the shower. If you have these facilities at home that's great but I don't think most people do unless they have made provisions, for building something for this eventuality and social services as you know will mean test everything, and make you pay if you have to, and the whole process takes time. Also it depends how "well " your mother is, your mum could cope with the hoist up until she is well enough to be hoisted and sit in a chair. For my dad this period was only short and then his deterioration was such that you could not even hoist him so everything had to be done in the bed, and eventually at the end stage he given a catheter, but that was right at the end. the health services will take this into account, and a hoist in my experience was impossible to get. I found the slide sheets completely useless, though all the professionals were pushing this on to us to use, it made my dad slide everywhere so you couldn't keep him in a comfortable, secure optimum position for feeding or for cleaning.

[uhhosammo]

Well done XStitch38. I admire you.

I don't have dementia, but suffer a little from double incontinence, possibly as a result of radiotheraphy or surgery many years ago. We have installed electronic toilet seat bidets to both our loos and they are a great help in enabling me to gain some control over my bowels. While using the loo I can direct a stream of warm water into my lower bowel and this stimulates my bowels to move so I can go out knowing I've emptied my bowels, so I am unlikely to have an accident, but I always wear a nappy - just in case. In the same way, the bidet helps to prevent constipation, the cause if diverticular disease. My husband does not have incontinence, but he finds the bidet invaluable and would not want to be without it. I've never seen them in hospitals, hotels or Care Homes in the UK. People, not even hospital consultants dealing with older people with constipation, seem to know anything about them. Unless I'm very mucky the bidet leaves my bottom clean and I dry my wet bot. with loo paper. The bidet will dry me too, with warm air but I find that too drying. Yes, they are very expensive - ours are German - the one that advertises a lot in glossy UK Magazines, but other brands are available. My sister, who runs an up-market B&B establishment in NZ, has had Hyundai ones fitted to all her toilets and she is delighted with them. You can get Hyundai ones in the UK. Last time I looked they had one showroom somewhere in the NW of England but they could fit them anywhere. You pay more for models with a lot of gizmos which you probably won't use.

All the best and best wishes.

uhhosammo