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Due to chorea movements, dystonia and problems with unsteady
gait, there needs to be special attention given to the set up of the bathroom.
Most importantly the toilet seat. Persons with Huntington's
Disease usually flop down on the toilet, so it is important to have a secure toilet seat and padding on the toilet seat cover
and tank will impact the flopping down.
As the disease progresses a raised toilet seat will be needed.
With men that stand to void, will have difficulty aiming urine into the toilet so there will be urine on the floor, increasing
chances for falls.
With the progression of the disease there becomes a difficulty
in completely emptying the bladder as there becomes less control of the muscles of the bladder. As they are drinking more
fluids due to increased thirst they have the urge to void more even if they just finished voiding. |
Do not remind them that they just voided, do
not make them wait as they may have an accident which would cause them embarrassment.
Constipation may become an issue due to a person with Huntington's
eats a higher calorie low fiber diet to keep weight on and has a more sedentary lifestyle. More changing in positioning is
helpful.
One important issue to remember is to not start using attends too
soon. When they are unable to get up on their own, the caregiver needs to assist the person up to the bathroom or commode,
or even use a bedpan.
As long as a person with Huntington's Disease has control over
their bladder and bowels and still has the urges to void and have a bowel movement, they should not be put in attends unless
they request it. |
