Question:
My grandmother recently began losing control of her bowels. She refuses to wear absorbent products, which is a problem for her caretaker. How might you suggest we get her to wear them while being sensitive to her feelings?

Answer:

First, work with your grandmother's physician to figure out if there is a reason she has lost bowel control. Sometimes using a bulking agent and/or using an antidiarrheal medicine will help her have more bowel control.

Also, it sometimes helps to call on a "higher authority" such as a physician. You might try to get the physician to "prescribe" absorbent products to your grandmother, while the physician works on what is causing this problem. This may help relieve the struggle between the caretaker and your grandmother.