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Suggest Treatment For Urinary Incontinence In An Elderly Person
Question: I am a care giver to my 97 yr old mother....
I am a care giver to my 97 yr old mother. She suffers from incontinence and from wearing pads she developed a diaper rash in Sept as observed by her dr at that time. She was advised to use desitin and it would heal. It didn't heal and in Nov she went to a gynecologist he examined her said she hadextreme redness and sores... prescribed a topical and another steroid cream. It has gotten worse she now carries around a pillow because she is in so much pain when she sits. She cries when she urinates... She is too weak to take a shower a few times a week. My mother still insists to live at home independently. I care for her three nights a week sometimes more otherwise she is alone but this is getting over my head. I will add that she can afford care as needed. What can be done and what can I do? I am going to make an appt with her primary dr tomorrow... I am waiting for a call back from the gynecologist. What are the steps that can be done to relieve my mother's pain and make this heal. I have also noticed at times she is getting out of breath. This is such an undignified way to go. Thanks for your help.
I am a care giver to my 97 yr old mother. She suffers from incontinence and from wearing pads she developed a diaper rash in Sept as observed by her dr at that time. She was advised to use desitin and it would heal. It didn't heal and in Nov she went to a gynecologist he examined her said she hadextreme redness and sores... prescribed a topical and another steroid cream. It has gotten worse she now carries around a pillow because she is in so much pain when she sits. She cries when she urinates... She is too weak to take a shower a few times a week. My mother still insists to live at home independently. I care for her three nights a week sometimes more otherwise she is alone but this is getting over my head. I will add that she can afford care as needed. What can be done and what can I do? I am going to make an appt with her primary dr tomorrow... I am waiting for a call back from the gynecologist. What are the steps that can be done to relieve my mother's pain and make this heal. I have also noticed at times she is getting out of breath. This is such an undignified way to go. Thanks for your help.
Brief Answer:
Better to get her catheterized with self retaining indwelling catheter.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query and admire your concern and the way you are taking care of your mother ,
Based on the facts that you have posted it appears that she developed excoriation of skin in groin due to urine .
In a given situation I would suggest you to put self retaining per urethral indwelling catheter so drain her bladder .This will help to have a continuous drainage of urine from the bladder and will not need to pas urine which will avoid contamination of skin in surrounding area to promote the healing .
Do not use steroidal cream .instead use topical antibiotic ointment like Neosporin for local application .
Following general measures will help to have early and fast recovery
1) Clean the entire private parts and surround area with anti microbial solution like Betadine twice daily and apply antibiotic ointment .You may take help of a trained nurse .
2) Cover the area with soft diapers or Cotton pads .
3) You can give her antibiotics like Doxicycline once daily to control the infection
4) Give her high protein diet to promote healing
5) Ensure she drinks adequate water to keep herself well hydrated.
With this all her sores should get cured within a month
Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions ,I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil
Better to get her catheterized with self retaining indwelling catheter.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query and admire your concern and the way you are taking care of your mother ,
Based on the facts that you have posted it appears that she developed excoriation of skin in groin due to urine .
In a given situation I would suggest you to put self retaining per urethral indwelling catheter so drain her bladder .This will help to have a continuous drainage of urine from the bladder and will not need to pas urine which will avoid contamination of skin in surrounding area to promote the healing .
Do not use steroidal cream .instead use topical antibiotic ointment like Neosporin for local application .
Following general measures will help to have early and fast recovery
1) Clean the entire private parts and surround area with anti microbial solution like Betadine twice daily and apply antibiotic ointment .You may take help of a trained nurse .
2) Cover the area with soft diapers or Cotton pads .
3) You can give her antibiotics like Doxicycline once daily to control the infection
4) Give her high protein diet to promote healing
5) Ensure she drinks adequate water to keep herself well hydrated.
With this all her sores should get cured within a month
Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions ,I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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