10. Staying in hospital (or other care facility)

Key points

  • Sticking to usual continence or toilet use routines (if possible) is important.
  • You might need to provide continence products, as hospitals only have a small range.
  • Communicate with staff about the normal routine.
  • Consider filling in a “This is me” leaflet to take into hospital, available from the Alzheimer’s Society website.
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Staying away from home can be confusing and upsetting. Many carers have said that even short hospital stays can lead to worse continence problems. This can be for many reasons, for example, if the person is in hospital for a medical illness, they might not be able to go to the toilet and can lose toilet-use skills. When possible, it can be helpful to stick to normal routines.

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“No they don’t provide those [pull-ups]. I took my own in in the end.”

Daughter

Things to think about

  • Speak to the staff:
  • Explain the person’s normal bladder and bowel routine, including the help they need and products they use. Ask how the person will be helped during their stay.
  • The person might not be able to stick to their usual routine, but it’s important that the staff know how the person normally manages so that they can work together to regain those skills as soon as possible.
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“Going into a new environment, like when they go to hospital, that can be really confusing.”

Dementia care nurse

  • Hospitals have a limited range of continence products (most do not have pull-ups). You might need to provide products from home if you think it is important that the person you care for keeps using the same type.
  • Eating and drinking as normally as possible is important. For example, tell the staff if the person likes a certain type of cereal (you might need to bring some in). Think about leaving a large, clear note on their bedside table with, for example, how they like their tea.
  • Before the person goes home, ask about any new medication and whether it has any effect on bladder or bowels.
  • If the person you care for is going home with a catheter that they didn’t have before, ask staff why the catheter is needed and when it can be removed.
  • Ask for clear instructions on using the catheter. Speak to your healthcare professional for more support and supplies (if needed). Ask when the catheter can be removed.