Hi. I just placed my Dad in an ALF 3 weeks ago. He lived with me for 9 years. He has trouble sleeping at night but the main problem the ALF is having is that he is urinating anywhere he feels the urge to go,even if he has just been to the bathroom. We are trying to come up with some solutions. They can't watch him one-on-one and are becoming frustrated. I guess he no longer remembers that he should use a bathroom. Any suggestions. Thank you.
Micki

Adult diapers, and if he has a toilet in his room removing the door so that he sees the toilet when he has the need. Others have suggested coloring the water in the toilet so that it is more visible. I would also have him tested for a UTI, if he needs to urinate immediately after using the toilet.

Thank you for your response. I've suggested Depends and the ALF is going to try that. They've suggested a service to provide 24-hour one-on-one retraining or a facility that does not have carpets. That sounds like a nursing home and I don't think he's ready for that yet( or maybe I'm not). I guess we'll try the retraining first. Thanks again for your suggestions.
Micki

I hope this does not sound too simplistic but "things take time." A couple of years ago Mom became incontinent (urinary only--thank goodness for small favors), and the idea of diapers confused the hell out of her. Sometimes she would be able to get to the bathroom in time to urinate, sometimes she would urinate while walking to arrive in the bathroom with a soaked diaper. Sometimes she would put the dry diaper in the hamper in the bathroom. (I put the hamper in the bedroom to discourage this.) Sometimes the wet one in the hamper, and every variation on this theme. She even took it off in bed. (We use these quilted cloth mattress protectors which are great!) And sometimes she would walk from bed to bathroom urinating all the while. In the morning I would slip and nearly fall on the urine. Made me worry she would fall one night. Bottom line: E-v-e-n-t-u-a-l-l-y things changed. It took time. But she keeps the diapers on 90% of the time. It took two years! Be of good cheer!