Information Centre for Seniors

For elders with bladder weakness, a simpler, cleaner, easier-to-use urine system is on the way.

Here are some of the details

A jockstrap-cum-colostomy-bag, the HeWee allows you to urinate on the go and is formed of an adjustable support belt, rubber sheath and leg-mounted collection bag. Unsurprisingly, it looks just as ridiculous as it sounds.

Which is where the HeWee Go Active comes in.

Adult diapers come in two designs – Nappy type and Panty type.

The nappy type diapers are for people who are bed-ridden or those that need to wear them while at home or overnight, while the pull-on panty type diapers are for mobile people.

The advantages of wearing pull-on panty type diapers are as follows:

1.They are relatively thin and discreet. No one will know that one is wearing them.

2.Just like regular underwear they can be easily removed and worn again. So, if one has access to a toilet, one can use it by pulling down the diaper, urinating into the toilet and pulling the diaper up back in position afterwards.

3.In case no suitable toilet is available, as most diapers are geared to absorb at least a litre of liquid, one can urinate into the diaper without worries.

4.The diapers will absorb all the liquid and keep the outer side and the inner side dry. This prevents problems due to the skin being constantly being damp.

5.The diapers are also designed to contain smell so even when the diaper is saturated, no urine smell will emanate from them.

The advantages of nappy-type diapers are:

1.They are highly absorbent

2.They have wetness indicators to tell you when they need to be changed.

3.They maintain dryness on the inside as well as outside.

4.They are easy to put on for others, especially for those that are bed-ridden.

5.They prevent smells from escaping.

Though diapers are not very environmentally friendly, they are the best option that is currently available for problems relating to bladder weakness.

A recent article in The Asian Age relating to elder care, companionship, and remarriage.

Excerpts below:

“Everyone deserves companionship, even in the final chapters of their lives,” says N.M. Rajeshwari, who, in a bid to felicitate this thought, founded an organisation Thodu Needa in Hyderabad. Her organisation works towards providing emotional support to the elderly; its sole purpose is to build lasting friendship, share ideas, encourage participation and enjoy life with like-minded people and if they wish, remarry.

“A few years ago, I read an article about a man in Mumbai who was helping the elderly get remarried. That’s when the idea of doing something similar here struck me,” she recalls. Many of them toil hard their entire lives by bringing up their children. Yet, owing to various reasons, several of them are left to fend for themselves in their old age, she says. “I wanted to create a platform for these elderly people to choose a suitable companion to live with.”

Today, the organisation has over 600 active members and has successfully conducted over 100 marriages. “We conducted three weddings this year alone,” she says with pride. The only criteria she emphasises on: They should be above 50 years of age and seeking companionship.

You can read the entire article here.( http://www.asianage.com/people/thodu-needa-heaven-where-marriages-are-made-386 )

A recent article in the Times of India talks about how men tend to get depressed in their old age while women tend to get more adventurous.

This is something we have also noticed on our trips to old age homes and retirement communities. In all of these places, women appear happier and more participative while the men appear subdued and sombre. While the women band together and enjoy group activities, the men seem to shy away from the company of others.

There could be many reasons for this difference in behaviour, especially in an largely male dominated Indian environment.

Let’s look at why women may be happier at old age homes.

1.They have other women of the same age group to share their days with. There are a fair number of studies that show that women thrive in the company of their girl friends.

2.They don’t have to cook, at least unless they actually want to.

3.They are no longer expected to be at the beck and call of their husband / children.

4.They no longer have to take care of all the house work.

5.For the first time in their lives, they have the time to pursue things that interest them.

As for the men:

1.They feel they are no longer the centre of their families. They are no longer the bread-winner in the family and this can take some getting used to. Retirement deprives them of work, company of peers, and the self-esteem that comes from earning.

2.Without work, there is no vacation. Many men make elaborate plans for after their retirement with rest, relaxation and recuperation forming a large part of it, only to find themselves looking for work again, not for the money but to feel part of a society in which they are a contributing member. So the free time they should be enjoying no longer feels like an extended vacation, but makes them feel they are wasting time.

3.Many of the retirement homes do not allow liquor. Some of the men who had enjoyed some social drinking during their working days may be missing such activities.
If your parents are living in an old age home or retirement community, please do observe them and see if they are showing any signs of depression. Especially the men, they may not tell you themselves that they are feeling depressed. But with your care, some counselling and where required, proper treatment, you can help them live their senior years in a happy frame of mind.