A service users smells of urine, how do I help her?

Question

Do I need to bring it up? Her room in the hostel smells but she is leaving soon for in dependant living. She also smells slightly, she is around fifty so i'm thinking maybe she has a bladder problem and could do with either medical advice or better self-care and hygiene standards. Any ideas how best to sensitively bring it up? And will it actually help her or will it just upset her (she is very sensitive and has been through a heck of a lot of bad things)

Answer 1

I totally agree with Kate H !! If that lady was my relative I'd be really worried about the care she was getting. If I thought someone was discussing her on here I'd be mad. Tell your boss!

Answer 2

i agree with you charma, it is confidential , i mean no body knows who the lady is or who you are so i cant see what the problem h was going on about, you only came for the advice and theres nothing wrong with that.  

Answer 3

Are you working with her? Or a fellow resident?

If you're working with her you really shouldn't be discussing it on here as its confidential, but with your supervisor.

If you're a resident in the hostel it would be best to mention it to the staff, anyone with any experience working in mental health should be able to help.

Edit. I certainly didn't mean to come across as uncompassionate, but if your supervisor is that bad you really must do something about it. I'd be very worried if I thought any of my colleagues were seeking help on a public forum for professional issues. Its obvious you're a caring and kind person, and that its a problem for your client, and the best thing would be to involve whoever will be working with her in the community, as they'll have to deal with this issue in the future.

Edit: You're clearly a great support worker, but you need support with this yourself, as it sounds that she's too much for you to deal with. If your manager isn't helpful try and get mental health services in to see her, then you'll have done the best you can for her. Its something we're trained for, and capable of dealing with. It really isn't your job and is obviously worrying you.

Answer 4

she must be going through some practical steps toward independent living-if so introduce a self care programme which will include laundry ,ironing ,bathing and buying toiletries-you could do a few sessions along these lines.-this way you dont have to directly tell her.You could also speak to a manager about it and perhaps see if she can get a doc appointment to check her over.She may well have incontinence problems-thats quite hard to bring up if she is sensitive,maybe you could bring it up by refering to someone you know who uses pads-say its no problem and loads of people use them-they are in supermarkets after all .

EDIT-----you could suggest you write a list together of things she will need for moving on(will she have money for this?)-if it were me I'd go thru' the usual stuff shampoo etc then I'd say something like "if it was my list I'd probably get some of those Tena Lady pads because I get the occasional bladder weakness and they are so useful for that,would they be useful for you ?"-the comments about confidentiality are silly -as the other person said we dont know who you or she is.I've worked in hostels and various other places like that myself.

Answer 5

Get her some Pampers and deodorant, that should take care of it