Urinals & Commodes, Oh My! Any Advice?

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Urinals & Commodes, Oh My! Any Advice?

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Good morning!

I'm looking for advice about toileting "tools" to use in caring for my husband. What is the best kind of urinal bottle for men? This would be to use at night with help. Is plastic hard to keep clean? I used a heavy glass quart milk bottle last night, and it worked well but probably is not a long-term solution.

I'm also looking at a combination shower chair/commode with a cut out for easier cleaning of the perineal area. I see ads for commode liners that do look as though they would make things easier but I'm not familiar with their use.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The last time I used urinals and commodes, I was a nurse and Central Supply took care of regular sterilizing.... :-)

(It just occurred to me that the small steamer I have for cleaning is going to start coming in very handy....)

Carol

Alzheimer's & Dementia Medical Equipment and Supplies Product Toileting

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The best urinals that we found are the unisex urinals from Walgreens. I am not sure if they still make them, but the handle is easier for my husband to grasp and you don't have to hold it at an awkward position like so many of the male urinals require. We rinse with water, and when they start to smell we rinse with a bleach solution. Recently he has started using a condom catheter that has really helped for the nighttime pees (and messes).
We use the Medline Heavy Duty Padded Drop-Arm Commode (which is available on Amazon) for toileting and showering. You can place this chair over the toilet and also in the shower. We use the chair bedside for toileting and do not use liners. We installed a bidet attachment on the toilet (also on Amazon) and rinse the bucket out each time and disinfect. You can remove the back of the chair for the shower if your husband has good trunk strength and can sit up with no assistance. This gives you good access to wash the back.
I sure hope this helps... it is a journey... I find that I am usually the one that has to do the research and come up with things before the PT, OT and docs even think of it...

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A portable commode, like this one pictured, can be used over a toilet and in the shower. Medicare will pay for one.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Drive-Medical-Folding-Steel-Bedside-Commode-11148-1/203269798?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D29B-029_009_BATH_ACC-NA-Multi-NA-PLA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-NA&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D29B-029_009_BATH_ACC-NA-Multi-NA-PLA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-NA-71700000032919342-58700003861054714-92700071923334214&gclid=Cj0KCQjwof6WBhD4ARIsAOi65ahrLRlQAb9G2Tlb7AgTkuYwyEC5eBjLlNWM_GFcudmfwH1PXcgTk3saApydEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

The bar on the back should be removable, take it off. A new commode should come with a bucket and splash guard. Place the commode over the toilet. (You can remove the toilet seat because the commode has one) Place the splash guard where the bucket goes and make sure the bottom goes down inside the toilet bowl a couple of inches. The legs can be adjusted. Now the person has arms they can lift themselves up with and hold themselves up with to help with cleaning.

I too never understood the need for the bucket liners. Like grandma said, you put a little water in the bottom of the bucket. Then when the person is done, your empty it in the toilet and flush. Rinse it out. You can use a Clorox wipe to get it sanitized.

1 part Bleach to 10 parts water will kill germs. So you can always clean the urinal with bleach water.

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My husband is in a wheelchair, and it is easier for him to use a urinal at night (he can pull himself up to stand, just unable to walk). He holds onto his dresser and uses his other hand to hold the urinal. I purchased a commode, but he has never been able to use it without me assisting, he can use the urinal independently (although truth be told I do have some clean-up to do most mornings). I purchase the urinals on Amazon (much cheaper than anywhere else). They come in packs of 2 so I buy 4 new ones every 2 months or so. I recommend you rinse them out and spray the inside with OdoBan (can purchase in Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, Amazon etc.). It comes in a gallon container, and you can also add some to a spray bottle. I thoroughly spray the inside of the urinal after rinsing it out. This has been a lifesaver as will eliminate any odor (from just about everything, including the air). I also pour a little in the wash with his laundry. His PT recommended that I install 2 two grab bars (horizonal not vertically) on the wall directly in front of the toilet about 16 inches apart (one vertically installed on the wall studs). This makes him feel “safer” as he can pull up from toilet using both hands, but each hand is on a different grab bar. I used 18-inch bars so he can grab wherever it is most comfortable for him. Not sure why installing them vertically makes a difference, but it does. Hopefully you have a wall close enough in front of the toilet to try this. Hope this helps. As everyone on this forum will tell you, being a “caregiver” is one of the hardest jobs you will ever have.

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I think the reason for suggesting that the grab bar be put in vertically is the entire bar is mounted into a stud. Studs are 16 inches on center. Grab bars, at least when I was looking for them did not come in 16, 32, 48 inch lengths. That means that if one end is into a stud you have to use another method to secure the other end into the wall. Or running the grab bars at a slight diagonal will also allow you to get both ends into a stud,.

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Personal opinion..Liners are a waste of money and more plastic added to landfill that is unnecessary.
Add a bit of water to the bottom of the container and then flush everything.
the plastic, hand held urinal containers are fine, rinse after use. If they become stained or difficult to clean, toss and use another.
I did not have to use a commode for my Husband I had a shower wheelchair that I would just back over the toilet then I could roll him into the shower for cleaning.

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Cat litter in a plain garbage bag.

Cheaper than specialty liners, better odor control, far easier on the caregiver.

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Here is the one we have. The VA ordered it for us because of my husband’s inguinal hernia.

https://www.platinumhealthllc.com/collections/with-commode/products/ultracommode-voted-1-most-comfortable-bedside-commode-chair-soft-warm-padded-and-foldable-xl-seat-with-100-open-front-padded-pivoting-armrests-adjustable-height-free-commode-pail-blue

if you decide to consider purchasing, message me privately and I will share the pros and cons we have experienced.

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Mom used plastic urinals for dad. She must have had 10 or more, b/c each time he went into the hospital for anything overnight, he'd get a 'new one'. He was able to maintain some level of dignity with those. I don't recall her doing much cleaning, but there wasn't a smell of old urine in their place, so I think dad was hydrated, for one, and mom kept them clean.

On a kind of 'funny note'. She had an ancient urinal that was made of some kind of metal, coated in paint. It was kind of cute, in a weird way. BUT...it was really cold and dad said things would 'disappear' when his privates hit that cold urinal. We ended up putting flowers in it and putting it on a shelf, kind of gallows humor.

Dad HATED the commode. It just reminded him daily that he was not the strong and able man he once was. It was necessary, but I know he really disliked it. A bedpan would have been 1000xs worse.

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My grandpa had a metal one with paint on it. It was a coffee can. :)

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While it is not environmentally friendly, if smell is a real concern, an empty Gatorade or similar bottle. Use it, put on the lid and toss.

When my grandpa came to visit, he forgot his urinal and there was no way of getting another one on such short notice as they arrived late one night. We had an empty 1/2 gallon milk jug. I cut the neck off in a circle, covered the edge in soft cloth tape and stuck a bath drain plug in the hole. The plan was for me to toss it after his visit. My grandpa said it was the best and easiest urinal (no lid to unscrew) he had used. Instead of tossing it, I emptied and cleaned it and he took it home when they left.

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To each his own. For mom I use bedside commode with trash bag liner. I use the cheapest diaper inside the bag to absorb urine. Walmart brand tabbed briefs are good. They are absorbant and have odor control. I cut them in half which makes them a perfect size to lay flat on bottom of commode bucket. I just bought a pack of 80 briefs costing about $26 which lasts approximately 3 months. It is so easy for the hired caregivers because there is no dumping and cleaning out the commode. They just tie up the bag as needed and dispose of it like any other diaper. This is what works for me.

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Plastic urinal works well. Rinse after every use. If need to clean, swirl a little vinegar in it, rinse with water. Commodes work well if person can not walk or hold it long enough to make it to the bathroom. Paper towels in bottom can make cleaning out "solids" easier. Find one with a lid for times it is not in use.

Urinals & Commodes, Oh My! Any Advice?

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