My MIL is too weak to transition to a bedside commode. Too weak to lift pelvis up for a bedpan. Hospice gave us diapers and she is now bedridden. How do we coach her to have a BM in a diaper? No easy answers but any insight would be appreciated. Thank you.
I found lactulose works very well. It is very safe even for kidney patients. If she has kidney problems, do not give anything with magnesium or phosphate based enema due to toxicity. Oil enemas or glycerine are safe for kidney patients.
Mobility is a very precious thing. That is why I kept my mom going as long as I could. Despite my mom's severe Alzheimer's disease she was only bedridden for 3 months and died age 90. She had Alzheimer's for about 12 years. (Over 10 years).
Bedridden means they are at high risk of impaction. so make sure she has a bowel program and keep her bowels moved on schedule--at least a few times a week if she normally goes daily.
In that she is too weak to transition to a bedside commode and too weak to lift pelvis up for a bedpan, I assume she is emptying her bowels into the bedding. Does she refuse to have someone put diapers on her? Or once diapers are on her does she refuse to release her bowels? Is she urinating into the diapers but not having a bowel movement?
Possibly she is currently constipated and unable to have a bowel movement.