When I was nursing in a hospital, I recall a man who had to self cath. It wasn't hard and he probably could do it all in a minute. The nurses had to do it for him at times, which took a bit longer because we used a sterile cath (not a clean cath) and went by the book. Other than the inconvenience of having to keep the supplies around, I think it was quiet easy for him.
Side thought,,,I remember he was a pastor, so even though I didn't show it I was a little embarrassed. Looking back, that was silly to feel that way.

Well if he can't go and his bladder gets too full, he may need to do the self-catheter bit. I worry about the risk of infections if it isn't done sterily. I can imagine that it wouldn't be too comfortable a procedure although I am not a man that has ever had it done. I have catheterized many babies though and the boys are far easier to find the hole. ;-)

As far as not making it to the toilet, perhaps you could do what we have done when we have had to. When DH's back gets out of commission and he has trouble with walking, we use a plastic brita filter pitcher without the filter as a urinal. It is light, has a handle and if it gets emptied promptly no one knows if they come to the door what it's use is for. Placed on a table or on the floor, it looks like we just had drinks.

As we all get older, unfortunately bathroom issues will appear for most of us. Depends and Poise pads are good sellers in pharmacies. It is embarrassing but a simple fact of life.

Every day I wish I had an edit button. quite for quiet, please.

I had to smile at Heather's suggestion of a brita pitcher, but I was going to suggest a male urinal. There are several kinds available. Try a Google search.

Sue

" Depends and Poise pads are good sellers in pharmacies. "
that is my thought. And if he doesn't want to use them, well, too bad. It will be of great help to YOU.

As I am recovering from surgery, I found that I also could not get to the toilet as quickly as I need to. I solved the problem by keeping a stack of old washcloths by the bathroom door....getting the walker and everything set up was usually the delay...so I could just use the cloth to absorb what I couldn't "hold". Lots easier than cleaning a puddle and all the other areas where I missed. I thought about the "throw-aways", but the cloth is comfortable, quick and absorbent...and contained in a waste basket until washed.

Many years ago my husband was in a major automobile accident. For medical reasons he still required a cath for several months after he came home. The hospital staff tried to teach me, sorry, I just couldn't do it. So he did it himself, quite successfully, with one arm in a cast. He told me it didn't hurt and wasn't hard to do.

Best of Luck
Alexis

Thanks for all the encouraging information. My DH has a male urinal bottle but has trouble using it. He gets "bashful kidney" when he tries to use it. He says diapers are for babies, not grown men. But I think I'll buy a box, set them near the bed and let him put one it around or below his penis when he feels an urge. It may just be the solution to an embarassing problem. THANKS, ALL!!!

Your husband sounds as stubborn as mine at times! May I point out that depends and poise pads don't fit babies! Growing older isn't always fun. Cough-pee, sneeze-pee. He isn't alone here. I should own stock in poise pads.

Thank you everyone who took a minute to answer. That's why I love KT-ers.

Jannie - I would speak to his doctor about a Supra Pubic Catheter. They are much safer long term and in general need to be changed out every two years.
Foley catheters which go through the urethra or the penis are much less useful in the longterm and should ideally only be left in for two to 4 weeks.
With a Supra Pubic, he could cap it off or wear a bag with it whatever he is more comfortable with.
Before I had my bladder removed in 2007 I had intimate knowledge of all the ins and outs of catheters.
I have posted a link for you that tells you more about the Supra Pubic.
Suzan J

Here is a link that might be useful: The Supra Pubic Catheter

My husband was told he should have this,some of his friends had it and they told him not to said you cant hold your pee afterwards so hubby didnt do it,Maybe if did the excersise where you pee stop ,pee stop,it will help stregthen the muscles.Maybe that would help.

Years ago, I had a second grader in my class who had to self-catheterize every day. He got tired of his dad coming to school to do it, so he learned to do it himself. After a few times, he seemed to think it was no big deal.

As to the question of pain..... they use a smaller catheter for the self cath than when they are inserting a "permanent" Foley cath. Since your husband doesn't have prostate enlargement, it should be pretty much pain free. The cath will be lubricated & slide right into the bladder.

As to the embarrassment... he'll do it in private in the bathroom. Which is more embarrassing "wetting oneself" vs self-cath? But that's his hurdle to overcome.

Self cath @ home is not taught as a sterile technique, but clean. The theory is that there are a bazillion germs in the hospital, while your germs @ home are "your germs".. less threatening. Hence the catheter is cleaned & re-used.

I just google "self catheterization".... there's lots of information, youtube videos. Maybe if he could read & view more info he would be more amenable to at least "try" it??

It seems to me if he is constantly wetting himself and having accidents, the house/furniture is going to begin to smell. I can remember my daughter telling about the odor in her boyfriend's grandmother's house. Ask him if he would rather have his friends come to a smelly house or would learn to properly take care of himself. The only ones who would know of his problem is the two of you. Pride has no place in medical care.

jannie
My understanding of the issue is your DH has mobility problems thus an accident once in a while and occasionally problems voiding. There are options to the self cath. In This case I would not suggest a Supra Pubic Catheter. A person who can use his own functioning plumbing but only needs to have a cath to use in times he can not void naturally. The possible problems of a Supra Pubic Catheter are more than just cathing occasionally and from my understanding can not reverse the procedure to normal function sphincter muscle which would cause an incontinence issue for the rest of life. Other than an adult diaper there is a type of collection catheter that uses a condom with a tube attached to a holding bag available at many medical supply stores and your hubby can use this for the times he is having the mobility problems, They can be used/worn for long periods of time in a day. They should left off for some time so they will not cause a tender spot or sore. If your DH has been going potty since he was taught how ask him how can doing your private business in the privacy of a bathroom or bedroom be an embarrassment? Every living thing has to matriculate, if it happens naturally fine if not then a means to do so must be found or death occurs sooner and even uglier. A self-cath is easy for most people and much easier for a man than a woman to accomplish. The procedure is not painful (just rather uncomfortable) if the proper amount of lubricant is used. All insurance plans and recently even medicare/medicaid approve payment for a new catheter every time, if Dotor prescribed. A viable solution to having to pay for UTI (from reusing a plastic tube that can not really be sterilized/cleaned properly) treatments as often. I hope some of this is helpful and your DH can make a choice suitable for his needs and dignity.

Lil