Open a new diaper. Place the plastic side down on the bed. Push the far edge underneath the person's side if possible. Next, put on barrier cream. This will help keep the skin from breaking down from moisture. Apply a thin layer, especially over the buttocks. Gently pull the person back towards you, rolling him on the diaper. Pull the diaper up through the legs. The diaper should be snug but not so tight it would be uncomfortable. You should be able to slide at least a finger under the top. You may need to roll the person a bit the other way to get to the part of the diaper that is under him. Pull off the gloves so the outsides are facing inward. Throw the gloves away. If you prefer, you can place a bed under the person. Roll him one way to slide it under, and then roll him the other way to get it all the way under him. The liners will help keep the bed clean in case of accidents.

Summary: Place the diaper underneath the person. Add cream or powder. Roll the person back. Attach the side tabs, which may be velcro or adhesives. Throw away the gloves. Add a disposable bed liner.


Often times, frequent trips to the bathroom can be indicative of a food allergy or intolerance.  Keep a food diary. Write down everything you eat and what time you eat it. When you have a bowel movement, chart this in your diary as well. Eventually, a pattern may emerge. For example, perhaps every time you eat spicy food, you have an increased number of bowel movements. Snacking can add to the amount of poop you will need to get rid of from your body, and also increases the regularity and continuity with which stool progresses to its exit. If you must eat, eat moderately. Lactose intolerance is a common condition found in adults. People who are lactose intolerant cannot break down the lactose sugar found in dairy products. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea.   You may be able to keep eating cheese. Some people with lactose intolerance can still tolerate cheese, as many varieties have low amounts of lactose. Generally, the more aged the cheese is, the less lactose it contains. Check the label of dairy products. Lactose is a type of sugar, so the less sugar a dairy product has, the less lactose it will likely contain. Caffeine stimulates the muscles that are responsible for producing stool.   Try replacing caffeinated drinks with water, juice, or tea. Try cutting down on the number of caffeinated drinks you consume each day. For example, cut down from 4 cups of coffee to 2 cups of coffee per day. Alternatively, try “half-caf” coffee, which has half the caffeine of a standard cup of coffee. Consuming an excess of foods with high fiber content can increase the frequency of bowel movements.  If you're eating an excessive amount of fruits and vegetables, which contain high amounts of fiber, you may want to cut back. The Centers for Disease Control recommends 2.5-3 cups of vegetables today for adults who exercise less than 30 minutes per day. Those who exercise heavily may consume more vegetables.  Foods that are high in fiber include:  Raspberries Pears Apples Spaghetti Barley Bran flakes Oatmeal Split peas Lentils Beans Artichoke Green peas Broccoli

Summary: Monitor the types and amounts of food you consume. Eat only at meal times. Take care in consuming dairy products. Avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks. Cut down on high-fiber foods.


Encourage your loved one to visit their primary care physician and be honest with the doctor about drinking habits. Friends and family members are likely to be more forthcoming than about the person's drinking habits, so request to tag along during the visit and, if prompted, offer your perspective to the doctor.  An alcoholic may only be willing to tell their doctor part of the problem. Without all of the information, their doctor may have difficulty developing a treatment plan. When the doctor is able to see the full scope of your loved one's addiction, your loved one is more likely to receive the help they need.  Tell your loved one something like, "I know this is hard for you, but I think it would be a great idea if you saw a doctor. I can join you and be your advocate in this situation." Doctors often assess for alcoholism using the CAGE acronym.  CAGE stands for a series of questions that the doctor asks to see if alcohol is a problem.  These questions include:  C= Do you feel a need to cut down? A= Do you ever get angry from consuming alcohol? G= Do you have feelings of guilt after drinking? E= Do you need an eye opener in the AM? Your loved one's physician may perform tests to determine what damage the body has suffered as a result of the drinking. These can range from bloodwork to a psychological examination to imaging. After running the necessary tests, the doctor may also recommend treatment options, resources, and information about how to stop drinking. Once your loved one has seen a doctor it will be necessary to decide on a course of action for treatment. Help your loved one decide which alcohol treatment option is best for their case. The two types of treatment are generally inpatient or outpatient.  Typically, inpatient detox involves staying at a facility and receiving treatment and support 24/7 for weeks or even months. Outpatient treatment is often available through hospitals, mental health clinics, and the like, and offer support and encouragement. Attendance requirements often vary.  No matter which type of treatment your loved one chooses, detoxification generally lasts between 2 and 7 days. During this time, your loved one will be under the supervision of a healthcare team that is experienced with treating alcohol use disorder. In treatment, your loved one will take medication that minimizes withdrawal symptoms, receive education about alcohol treatment, and learn behavioral techniques to manage cravings. Understand that quitting alcohol isn’t a quick fix. Battling cravings and addiction may be something your loved one has to do for their entire life. Your support is needed to help them stay clean.  Suggest that your loved one attend a support group, undergo individual or group therapy, or take medications. A combination of these approaches may be required for your loved one to stay clean from alcohol for the long term.  If you offer to take part in therapy, this can also be influential in your loved one's treatment. For example, if you are in a romantic relationship with the person undergoing detox, couple's therapy may be beneficial. Family therapy is a sensible choice for relatives of an alcoholic. Show your loved one just how committed you are by participating in the treatment process. Offer to stay with your friend or family member for a short time to help out with household responsibilities and to help them resist cravings for alcohol.
Summary: Suggest a visit to the doctor. Get your loved one to complete a physical exam and diagnostic tests. Support them through inpatient or outpatient detoxification. Identify long-term treatment options for alcoholism.