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Helpful hints for carers
Helping people go to the toilet may mean changes to the home. The changes will depend on the person's abilities.
Find out where to get help. An occupational therapist is trained to check people's needs and suggest the right equipment for them. This advice could save money in the long run.
General hints & tips
- If there is limited room in the toilet for another person to help, change the toilet door to open outwards.
- Clear the way to the toilet, getting rid of clutter and loose mats from the bedrooms, hallways and bathrooms.
- Make sure there is enough lighting to and from the toilet.
- Small 'night lights' which plug into the power point are useful for showing the way.
- For night visits to the toilet, put a sensor light (which turns on when someone walks by) in the hallway to light the way.
- Place a strip of 'flexi lights' (an electric strip of lights in a plastic tube) along the floor to direct the way to the toilet. You can purchase flexi lights from hardware stores.
- For people with dementia, put a picture of a toilet on the door at chest height. This will help the person find their way to the toilet.
- Make the surface of the toilet floor non-slip.
- Mount grab rails on the toilet wall, to help getting on and off the toilet.
- Try to make the toilet comfortable. Install a heat light and use air fresheners.
- Wipe up spills to stop slips and falls. Keep a mop, bucket and disinfectant handy.
The bedroom
- Protect the bed with an absorbent bed sheet.
- Waterproof fitted mattress protectors can be wiped over to stop bad smells.
- Place a commode by the bed.
- A man can use a bottle, if he can hold it in place.
- A jug or bucket may be easier to hold and aim into, than a bottle.
- Protect the carpet. Place a rubber backed, absorbent mat on the floor by the bed. This can be hosed down outside or machine washed and hung out to dry.
- Install a sensor device on the bed or on the floor beside the bed, which buzzes when the person gets up.
- A 'bed pole' would help the person turn over in bed and get up more easily.
- Move the person to a bedroom nearer to the toilet.
The living room
- If the person you care for urinates into pot plants, remove the pot plants and allow safe access to the garden. Some men prefer to urinate outside.
- Remove all clutter from doorways and along the passageway to the toilet.
- Arrange the lounge room furniture to allow free access from a favourite chair to the doorway.
- Keep a bucket or bottle nearby in case of emergencies.
- Protect seating with a waterproof chair-pad.
- Make sure they can get out of their chair without difficulty. The favourite chair may need to be adapted. An occupational therapist can advise you on this.
Clothing
- Clothes such as track pants are simple, but not everybody likes wearing them. Make trousers easier to get off by sewing velcro into them to replace buttons or zips.
- Buy slacks and skirts with elastic waistbands.
- Buy non-iron clothes that wash and wear, to lessen your workload.
- Change night dresses to open down the back.
- Women can wear wrap-around skirts with the opening turned to the back.
- Men only need to wear a pyjama top to bed and women can wear a short nightie.
- Front opening trousers for men and women secured with velcro along the side seams are very useful. A clothing alteration service would be able to help you.
For help in choosing equipment and making changes to your home, ask an occupational therapist or your local continence nurse advisor. Contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66.
Page last updated 29 Feb 2008