I am a paraplegic with ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease and I can tell you that there are several optons for toileting. First of all, we have to be helped onto a toilet or commode either by transferring with an aide or caregiver. If we can stand, we can be helped up by the caregiver and hen pivoted around and helped to sit. Or a safer way is by using a "hoyer lift", operated by a caregiver, which mechanically lifts the patient by use of a sling, and places the patient over the commode and gently lowers the patient.

Once on the toilet or commode, the caregiver usually has to wipe the patient, who usually finds it difficult to reach around to wipe himself.

Many paraplegics find it too hard to be taken to the toilet or commode several times a day, and opt for urination by alternate methods, such as a catheter which attaches to the ureter and has a bag, which is emptied and changed when full. Or for males, there is something called a "condom catheter, which can be placed on the end of the penis and collect urine. This usually has to be changed with every urinanation.

There are also urinals, for males and females which are plastic receptacles which can be discretely placed under a patient in a wheelchair, urinated into, and then emptied.

Still other paraplegics opt for adult diapers, such as Depends" which they urinate into, and have changed periodically.
Source(s):
personal experience and connections with other patients.


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