I have tried getting her lady panties with pads built in but she won't wear them. Yesterday I was checking my parents room and the smell of pee was awful. I used baking soda on the wooden floor and then mopped. Seems to work. But her night clothes continue to smell even after washing them with powder and softener. Any suggestions!!!
Other than that, have you tried a bedside commode? Medicare will provide if her physician prescribes the need.
As far as the odor, Med-aire makes a product line specifically for incontinence. It is a spray and will eliminate any smell. When cleaning up, use gloves and add vinegar to the wash to help neutralize smell in clothing and in the machine.
My mom will not wear pads or Depends either and she’s convinced Depends have latex in them (she’s allergic to latex). I’ve looked at the package of Depends thoroughly and I didn’t read latex anywhere. ~sigh~
One is OdoBan this is an odor eliminator and disinfectant. It does not cover odors but removes them
The other product is from Clorox called Urine Remover it is for both stains and odors.
As to getting your Mom to wear the incontinence pants I suggest you remove all her "regular" underwear from her drawer and replace it with whatever disposable product you have. If her "normal or real" underwear is not there she will have no option but to use what is there.
You can tell her that the washer is broken and you have to use these until it is fixed.
Or.... her other ones were soiled and the wash is not done yet.
Or.... her other ones were looking a bit old and you got her new ones.
She will get used to the new ones.
Also your washing machine might be holding on to odors as well. Either use one of the washing machine cleaning tabs or run a full cycle of hot water and bleach or baking soda to try to eliminate odors in the machine. Also keep the lid or the door open to prevent odors. Don't forget to wipe down the machine as well, around the lid, any gaskets if these parts get splashed with dirty water and do not get rinsed they will retain odors.
I agree with the vinegar and synthetics. I had to soak Moms slacks overnight in vinegar to get the smell out. I noticed the nursing home residents never smelled. The laundress told me it was the detergent they used. They special ordered it. The bad thing is if you don't get the smells out, the dryer makes them worse.
I agree with irritation too. I can't use Kotex products or anything with a scent. Depends never bothered Mom and I used Walgreens Serenity most of the time. They run sales, buy one get one half off. Sometimes a coupon in their monthly coupon booklet.
I worked for a Visiting Nurse Assoc. and we were asked not to call them diapers.
Tell her that, even though she may be used to it, the odor in her room is very strong and offensive and that she must wear Depends (or pads).
From there, work out what her objections are to wearing them and experiment with different types (pads vs panties, brands, etc.). If you continue to just clean up the mess and suffer the smell, that's your choice. If the battle is important to you, win the battle.
It's hard to parent your parents, but it's necessary.
But good to know about the vinegar. I also use puppy urine cleaning spray to clean and sanitize everything in the house.
Another thought to stress the importance of your mom making this transition, given that the "smell of pee was awful," is that any visitor to your parents' house might notice the smell and alert adult protective services, which could lead to all sorts of problems for your family. Good luck in helping your mom get through this.
For the laundering, I use a capful of Hibiclens (or generic) in every load of laundry and have no problem with odors, I use it with his washable bed pads and washcloths.
Hibiclens is a pre-surgical scrub and I get mine from the VA for my DH - they supply the generic, Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4% Topical Liquid in 4oz bottles - it's a soap that kills all bacteria and germs. A quart of this is approx $18 at Amazon. I also put some into a foaming soap dispenser and use it to keep my hands germ-free too.
Actually, the VA also furnishes Aloe Vesta Foaming Cleanser Perineal soap and I mix them together in a Dawn foaming soap dispenser and this is what I use to wash my hands all the time. The Dawn dispenser just seems to handle the mixed soaps better for me.
Once your Mom is use to wearing the Depend type products, try other brands, too, so Mom can have a choice on which ones she likes.
I would try to get her to wear pull ups, anything you have to tell her or do to get her to agree would be worth the time and effort. I had to appeal to my dads pride regarding wet pants and odor, i just don't want you to be embarrassed, no shame in them dad. I had to address it a few dozen times to get compliance, once he knew that a large percentage of people use them from middle age on, he was better with them.
Best of luck, it's a stinky situation all the way around.