Gumbyschild Asked September 2021
Does anyone have experience with Class B RV toilets as a way to travel and manage the urgency and frequency associated with Alzheimer’s/MS?
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My wife’s illness has her needing quick and frequent bathroom trips to the point where even short trips are almost impossible. I’m looking for a used smaller RV and wondered if anyone has gone this route and willing to share an opinion on how it worked out for them.
I’ve looked at videos on the travel toilet types so I have some idea but the opinion of a healthy young couple and their “cassette” toilet isn’t real world compared to what we’re dealing with. I even found a company that will soon start manufacturing a towable shower and toilet. Won’t do much good unless we could pull over, so a class B seems the best option. But what type toilet works out best?
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Your wife is a lucky woman to have you by her side. Peace and stay safe.
Beyond that though I do want to express a few concerns or considerations. Is your wife steady on her feet no concerns about moving around in an RV, ducking if needed that sort of thing? I assume you would pull over each time she needs to use the bathroom and not have her navigating while you drive but there can still be obstacles. Is camping, RVing travel something that’s been a part of your lives? I’m asking out of concern that adapting might be harder than you anticipate and even if she adapts now that might not last very long as her disease progresses. Of course it also might be the perfect time if she is on board and excited about the idea, and adapting well now may be the key to keeping it going on down the line too. It can be a bit of a crap shoot no pun intended, she will loose more and more control over how she reacts or retains so remember not to get frustrated or disappointed in her or yourself if obstacles continue to creep up. But it’s certainly worth a try as long as you go in eyes wide open and a great idea!
Good luck and enjoy getting some of that freedom back as a couple! You are the partner, spouse, husband we all want traveling this road with us.
I went to a local RV dealer today and checked:
1) How easy was it to get into the RV?
2) Was there room to maneuver in the bathroom space?
3) Was there room between the front seats to get up and walk to the bathroom?
She navigates ok at this point. I can see that the time we have to do this will be limited however, and I’ll wish I did it sooner I imagine.
As far as camping goes, years ago I had an ‘84 VW Westfalia camper and a ‘79 Airstream Land Yacht back when I had kids at home. Alice preferred the hotels and Time Share, but at this point she’ll be thrilled to get back out with less stress. We have children 8 and 6 hours away so this will come in handy for visits.
Thank you for your input. It’s an expensive potential solution to a difficult situation that I’m not jumping into blindly.
The biggest things that you want to do is add the additives sold for RV toilets. This is a must for odors and breakdown of waste for tank flushing. You also want to make sure that you use plenty of water and toilet paper that dissolves. No need for expensive RV paper, look for brands that say safe for septic and put several sheets in a glass of water, if after a few minutes it is not dissolved, don't use it, it will mess up your sewer system. I have never bought a brand that said septic safe that didn't dissolve.
I love to travel in our RV and the convenience of having everything right there is unbeatable. We say, "Wherever we roam, there's home!"
I personally would opt for good Pull Up incontinent briefs and if necessary a rubber or waterproof pant on top of that. Keep a back pack with supplies that you need. Gloves, creams, extra Pull up and a change of clothes just in case. I packed like that when I took my Husband out but rarely had to change his clothes.
Most places have "Family" bathrooms but I never had a problem bringing my Husband into the women's washroom and there were a few times I entered the men's washroom to check up on him if he managed to get to the bathroom before I could direct him.
She goes to a program for dementia patients three days a week. Rides the bus even. Somehow she seems to get by without anyone calling me except for one time.
I do have a large bag with the items you mentioned for clean up emergencies. Haven’t needed it yet.
Thank you for your input.
So sorry you are going thru this. My cousin suffered from MS for 20 yrs. She didn't suffer from a Dementia, she died from respiratory failure. Her dear, dear husband took care of her to the end. I really believe she lived as long as she did because of his love and care.