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Has finding your aged mom or dad dozing in the toilet become a common phenomenon lately? The reason can be their medications, bladder problems, or even weakness due to their age. So, how to help them have a safe washroom visit for the night?
Setting alarms for elderly parents to relieve themselves before going to bed and understanding their urinary frequencies can stop your elderly parents from falling asleep on the toilet. Apply safety measures to ensure your aged folks don’t face dangers like slipping from the commode while dozing.
Let us look at some clever ways to keep your old parents from dozing off in the toilet at night or even during the day. We will also check out some proper old-age-friendly equipment that might help add safety to your old folks’ toilet visits. Let us begin!
Why Do Elders Visit the Toilet More Than Us?
5% to 30% of women over 50 complain of an overactive bladder. Factors such as medication and diabetes also play a crucial part in making aged parents run to the washroom frequently. Worse, old age tires them out, making them doze off in the toilet.
Elderlies suffer from a plethora of medical issues. And an overactive bladder is one of them. While their old age makes it hard to run to and back from the washroom multiple times, their low energy does not help.
Falling asleep or dozing in the toilet can also be due to medication. Various medications for senior citizens are designed to make them fall into a deep sleep after consumption. You might find them dozing at the dinner table or taking a nap while watching TV. Similarly, frequent bathroom visits might tire them out, making them fall asleep while waiting to relieve themselves in the toilet.
Not to forget, age also affects a person’s bladder, whereby it loses the ability to store a lot of urine. Hence, your aged parents might be frequenting the toilet too often due to this. Moreover, neurological conditions and urinary infections can also result in them visiting the bathroom more often than usual.
Falling asleep on the toilet increases the risk of falling, slipping, and getting injured. I’ve written another article about what you should do when an elderly parent falls off the toilet. Don’t miss it. What to Do When an Elderly Person Falls Off the Toilet
How To Help Elderly Parents Who Fall Asleep on the Toilet?
Keeping track of your old parents’ bathroom and medication timings will help keep them from dozing off while in the toilet. Understanding their body clock and daily timetable can better regulate their washroom habits, so they do not fall asleep, slip, and fall in the washroom.
Here are some fool-proof ways to help parents who fall asleep in the toilet:
1. Schedule Their Washroom Time Before Bed
Set a proper time for your parents to visit the toilet before bed. If they have a timetable for when to go, your old folks will maintain regular dinner time and bedtime, helping them visit the toilet less.
Ask your parents what time suits them best for dinner and consider how thirsty they might get after a big meal. If you notice that they chug a lot of water before and after dinner, suggest they control their water intake right before hitting the bed. Doing so will help reduce their bathroom visits frequency and not tire them so much that they doze off there.
You can also ask your parents’ doctors to advise on the right amount of water they should have daily to help with their bladder issues.
2. Check What Medications Your Old Parents Are On
There are various types of medications that might raise the need to urinate more often. Most of these medications help treat ailments like:
- Blood pressure
- Kidney problems
- Heart issues
- Antidepressants
- Type 2 Diabetes
Medications such as calcium channel blockers, known to treat high blood pressure, are notorious for reducing bladder contractions that make you urinate more than necessary. Moreover, various medications for anxiety and nerve-related problems target the central nervous system.
These medications increase the need to visit the toilet. And due to your aged parents’ bathroom visits frequently, they might feel tired and doze off. Therefore, consult their doctor on how to combat this risk while they take daily medication.
3. Hire a Caregiver
Work can be challenging for many adults, especially when it makes them unable to balance other responsibilities. And if your work makes it challenging for you to stay alert whenever your parents visit the bathroom, hire a caregiver.
A professional caregiver will ensure to follow your aged parent to the toilet, assisting them if they need help with walking or balance. They will also take your instructions about your parent’s requirements and do their best to follow them for maximum safety.
When you have a caregiver, there is no need to worry about your parents falling asleep while urinating. The home nurse will wake them up and return them to their room. Not to forget, they will also ensure that your aged parent doesn’t slip and fall from the commode while dozing off.
If your old parent uses a walking stick for mobility, a caregiver will ensure it is always within their reach. A heavy-duty walking cane can help your elderly parents to stay mobile and cautious when visiting the toilet. A good example is the HONEYBULL Walking Cane (available on Amazon.com). It helps ensure that your parents are safe when visiting the toilet.
Ultimately, hiring a professional caregiver from an old-age center will help your parents be more alert when going to the bathroom.
4. Set a Bell at Their Bedside
Whether you have hired a caregiver or not, set a buzz bell near your aged parents’ bedside. If they need something quickly, they can always press the switch and alert you of their needs.
Request them to push the bell if they feel the need to go to the toilet at night. This way, you stay alert whenever your parents are in the bathroom. If they need any help getting up or falling asleep while there, you will be at hand to assist. The bell can also help notify the caregiver that the aged parent needs to visit the toilet at night.
All in all, a buzzer or bell is a great safety option for aging parents with frequent toilet visits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can help your aged folks from falling asleep in the toilet. All you need is a perfect understanding of why your parents are doing so.
Keeping an eye on their medication and food schedule will help ensure that your aged parents return to their room as soon as they relieve themselves. And with a caregiver around, there is no need to worry about slipping accidents or fatal injuries.
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