Personal Care

We were very naive during Damien's initial period of recovery. The hospital had used a Foley so we thought that we should too. The Foley (non-catheter) was unsightly, unhealthy, unsanitary and unnecessary. It leaked constantly, it caused skin irritation, it was odiferous (even when using a new Foley every day). Then one day the home nurse suggested we stop using the Foley and just change the brief often. We did and it was great! No oder, no mess, no irritation. We are most pleased with Prevail's Breezers ™ . They are fabric-based briefs that allow air flow unlike the plastic-based briefs. For extra absorbency, we also use guards. We do need to change the briefs 3 or 4 times a day.

We use a stool softener and a fiber solution to help keep Damien regular.

Damien gets a shower every morning and most evenings. We use a body wash and antidandruff shampoo. Damien's dermatologist suggested we use OXY® acne medication (10 % benzoyl peroxide) on his face, neck and chest to help prevent pimples and a rash.  If Damien has had a tiring day or an unusually hot day, we give him another shower just before bedtime. This seems to let Damien get a better night's sleep.

Damien's teeth, tongue and gums are brushed daily with an electric toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. Both were recommended by his dentist. Damien has had one mercury filling replaced with a gold filling. He has his teeth cleaned every 6 months.

When seated for long periods of time, Damien's position is adjusted (at least every 2 hours - at a higher frequency if possible) to ease pressure points. At night he sleeps on a hospital bed with a magnetic mattress and an alternating pressure mat which help prevent pressure sores. In 18 years of care, Damien has had a pressure sore once - and that because a care giver failed to reposition him on a regular basis.

Damien's health has benefitted from this daily (sometime hourly) routine of personal hygiene care.