My mom is 80, overweight and uses a wheelchair for most of her mobility around the house. At 80 my mom has more nights of incontinence than dry nights. She sleeps from about 2 am to 2 pm but her sleep schedule varies some. It is breaking my heart to see her frustration with the no control sometimes while reclining in her chair. I do not understand biologically or medically WHY this happens. Dr has prescribed a go less med that she takes up to three times a day but still she continues to have accidents. Since I do the wash it certainly is affecting me too. Yes, she wears depends and has bed pads. It is frustrating and the smell is sickening. Can anyone shed some light on what happens to our bodies in life that we no longer can control this function? Thankfully it is just urine but should I be worried that other functions will cease to work as well?
There are all kinds of reasons for incontenance. With Mom being overweight it could be a reason. Having children can contribute to it. Maybe it would be good taking Mom to a Urologist.
My mother has dementia and neuropathy (non diabetic) and has been urinary incontinent for about 4 years now (she's 93). It is what it is, and there is nothing much either one of us can do about it. She does not smell badly, for the most part, and frequent Depend changes is in order to prevent such a thing. Have you tried Medline Extrasorb disposable chuck pads? They are amazing and can absorb A LOT of urine while she's sleeping; then just throw them away. You can find them on Amazon. If she's having 'accidents' while in her recliner, and the urine is leaking out of the Depends.......then use one of the chucks in addition to a 'booster pad' for the brief. Again, frequent Depends changes and reminders to use the toilet should cut down on odors associated with incontinence.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=diaper+doublers+for+adults&crid=1JO4XETBWJMOS&sprefix=diaper+doubler+for+a%2Caps%2C211&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_20
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=extrasorbs+es+350+medline+bed+pads&crid=1N492JNWWY6OP&sprefix=extras%2Caps%2C214&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_6
Every now and then, my mother does have fecal incontinence as well. Nothing gets better with old age, unfortunately, and especially when they're wheelchair bound (as my mother is, too) as their muscles weaken everywhere, leading to difficulties with everything. My mother lives in a Memory Care ALF and gets physical therapy, which she hates, but it does help her stay somewhat mobile and prevents muscle atrophy and even MORE difficulties than she already has. She's reached the point where her core strength is quite weak, and she's been sliding off of her wheelchair. PT is helping her with that as well.
Wishing you the best of luck moving forward.