Mom MOM is going to kill our septic system!!! As funny as this posting sounds, I'm dead serious. I need something to strain the mounds of toilet paper she insists on using. She dosen't want me in the bathroom with her at all so I can't monitor her usage and We've already resorted to giving her 1-ply tissuein an effort to keep it from clogging up.
Any ideas???? Or should I start seeing a Septic man on the side?
Shar
I like so many of you have the same issue regarding memory loss. I tell her and tell her and tell her but it's appararently it's just to hear my own voice. We placed a large paper receptical and asked her to PLEASE put all paper products in it and am going to try the wipes. I'm just afraid she going to think she can use that like toilet paper. Boy, if I had any money left to invest, it would certainly be in PAPER PRODUCTS.
Anyway.............we're gonna give it the old geriatric try. If there's a saint for toilets would ya'll please send a prayer and light a candle.
Thanks for all your ideas. I'll try anything at this point short of reporting her to the Sierra Club. lol
Shar
shar
Jusr curious.......do the wipes last longer than a roll of tissue? Just wanted to get some idea as to whether I should buy a case or should I buy a dozen units. And how difficult was it for your Mom to make the transition from paper to wipes? And most impotantly does she like them better?
Shar
Good luck with your tissue issue!
Kathy
We've use Rid-X regularly. It's sad but I actually have it pre-logged on my calendar when to do it. If things get totally out of hand. I think I'll have George build an outhouse and we'll resort to the Sears catalog. HA!HA
It's true I'm now officially CRAZY
Shar
My husband says to disconnect the flush valve and manually operate it when she tells you it doesn't work or tie a string around the flush valve and hang it off the back side of the toilet where she can't see it and that way you can dip out the paper before you flush it. She won't be able to flush and you'll have to deal with it but thats cheaper than a plumber. My mom eventually resorted to wash rags so we had to do that. She'll soon forget about flushing anyway so then its' on to something else. Then you can hook the toilet back up and have full action toilet again. You could always use a "Slop Jar" YUCK!!!! I'm having a hard day today. It's been 2 weeks today since I lost my mom and you guys are making me laugh!! So thanks!! I think we are all crazy!! We sure feel like it. If anyone who isn't going thru this read some of the things we write, they would for sure think we were.......lol!! Keep smilin' so ya don't cry all the time............Phyllis
Good Ideas though. I'm just gonna roll with flow , so to speak.
Shar
I knew I'd get ripped on the homemade wipes suggestion. I have very sensitive skin, and use organic, no-chemical added products myself for cleansing. They're wonderful, and hypoallergenic. I understand about the allergy sensitivity issue and certain essential oils and fragrences... I'm not talking "designer" products, but cost-effective, non-commercial ones, which are by far superior and safer than the cheapest brands, etc. Many are natural, and made by God, not man. Don't knock it till you've tried it. We all need to be cleansed from time to time, not just wiped with paper! Shar, you are hilarious. Thanks for lightening my day!
Shar
I must admit, Grandma is a one square kind of gal, AND she insists her pads can be recycled once they have time to dry out! Eeeww!!! She regularly leaves a trail on the floor as she make her way to the toilet, and her every BM seems to have some sort of jet propulsion when it makes its way to the exit point. I get so tired of cleaning the toilet, walls and floor. Really, I just cannot comprehend how with all the issues listed above she still manages to clog the toilet.
I hope and pray God has a special place for all us good souls who tend to the toilets used by our elderly loved ones!
My suggestion is probably too 'simply' but since SIMPLIFY is my only mantra... perhaps it will work!
What about a CAMPING TOILET? I know this may seem far fetched.... but put a baby safety 'clip' on the REGULAR toilet and set the camping toilet up in the bathroom for her to use. Instead of having to 'fish' wet (yuk) toilet paper from your existing toilet, you can just remove the bottom unit, and flush a bit at a time.
You can use GOOGLE to search for the model I found online for about $65.00! I am sure there are many other models too.
Thetford Porta Potti/Potty 135 Portable Toilet RV Camper
I would also get some of the bio-degradeable toilet paper for her to use too. And I would ALSO limit the amount of paper available at any time. Just put it out of reach, or add a safety clip for the vanity door so she is limited to what she can access.
I hope this helps.
Angela and Mia Madre (my Mother)
For those who are leaving a trail' (I'm sure you have thought of this) Did you install sheet linoleum flooring for easy cleanup?
anyway, hope this helps.
We had this problem with my aunt who has a form of alzheimers when I was caring for my uncle (her husband) when he had lung cancer.
We placed a special wastebasket by the toilet with a big sign that said,
"The toilet is broken, please put ALL toilet paper in the waste basket. It was easier to keep emptying the waste basket 2-3 times a day than cleaning up the mess of a stopped up toilet. Plus, everytime we saw her going to the bathroom, we would remind her to put her paper in the basket. We also provided a small amount of the single roll just for her..
Today she lives in a nice ALF and they tell me she still puts her paper in the basket!
Good luck.