Older Adults in Grand Rapids Hospitals: Getting to the Toilet Safely and Comfortably

When you’re in the hospital in Grand Rapids—whether at Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health—don’t hesitate to ask staff if you need help getting to, using, or returning from the toilet.

Talking openly with your nurses and doctors about any bladder or bowel issues helps them investigate the cause and find solutions so you can stay safe and comfortable during your stay.

“Continence” means being able to control your bladder (urine) and bowels (stool). “Incontinence” is when you have trouble with this control.

Incontinence Is Not a Normal Part of Aging

Incontinence is common in older adults, but it is not an inevitable or “normal” part of getting older. Many things can affect how well your bladder and bowel work, including:

• Limited mobility or weakness
• Certain medications
• Diabetes (common in Michigan adults)
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Constipation
• Being overweight
• Recent surgery or illness

Incontinence in the hospital can increase your risk of:

• Falls – especially if you rush to the toilet or try to go alone
• Skin problems and pressure ulcers – from staying in one position in a wet pad or bedding
• Delirium (sudden confusion) – which can be triggered by infections such as UTIs

If you have a continence problem, ask your nurse or doctor for a referral to a continence nurse or specialist. Larger Grand Rapids hospitals and many local urology or pelvic health clinics can provide specialized continence care.

Incontinence Can Be Treated and Managed

There are hospital specialists—nurses, doctors, physical and occupational therapists—who can help you manage bladder and bowel problems while you’re in a Grand Rapids hospital.

Many older patients feel nervous about going to the toilet in the hospital, especially when:

• The bathroom feels far from the bed
• The surroundings are unfamiliar
• They worry about having an accident
• They’ve just had surgery or are weak from illness
• They’re not sure how to use a bedpan or commode

Hospital staff in Grand Rapids deal with these concerns every day. They are professional, understanding, and trained to help you toilet safely and privately.

Talking to Staff About Toileting in the Hospital

When you arrive on the unit, ask the nursing staff what will happen when you need to go to the toilet. Let them know:

• If you have urinary incontinence (leaking urine)
• If you have fecal incontinence (leaking stool)
• If you use continence pads, briefs, or laxatives at home
• If you usually need help getting to the bathroom

Sometimes incontinence in the hospital is caused more by the environment than by your body. For example, you may have trouble getting to the toilet because of:

• A bed that is too high or too low
• Weakness or feeling unwell
• Equipment such as:
  • IV (drip) lines
  • Oxygen tubing
  • Heart monitors
  • Catheters

All of these can make getting to the toilet more complicated and may require extra time and planning.

Do not hesitate to ask for help. Press the call bell early—before it becomes urgent.

If you have any leakage while in bed, tell the staff right away. They can clean your skin, change your linens, and help prevent irritation or pressure sores.

Protecting Your Skin

If urine or stool stays on the skin too long, it can cause:

• Redness and irritation
• Rashes
• Skin breakdown and pressure ulcers

Nursing staff in Grand Rapids hospitals use barrier creams, gentle cleansers, and mattress protectors to help protect your skin. Let them know immediately if:

• Your skin feels sore, itchy, or burning
• You notice redness or broken skin in the buttocks, groin, or inner thigh areas

Planning Ahead Before a Hospital Stay in Grand Rapids

If you are worried about incontinence before a planned hospital admission (for example, joint replacement at a Grand Rapids orthopedic unit), you can prepare by:

• On arrival:
  • Find out where the closest toilets are.
  • Ask staff to show you how to use the nursing call bell, and make sure it’s always within reach.
• Mobility aids:
  • Bring your walker, cane, or other mobility aid if you use one at home.
  • Ask staff to keep it where you can easily reach it.
• Avoid rushing:
  • Try to give yourself plenty of time to walk to the toilet.
  • Rushing can lead to slips and falls, especially in winter when you may already be weaker from seasonal illnesses like flu or COVID-19.
• Share your usual routine:
  • Tell your nurse or doctor if you:
    • Use laxatives at home
    • Wear continence pads or briefs
  • Use the continence aids provided in the hospital, even if they’re different from what you use at home. Staff choose products that work best with hospital bedding and monitoring.

If you cannot reach your call bell or your walking aid, tell staff as soon as you notice. Safety is a top priority in all Grand Rapids hospitals.

Good Bladder Habits in the Hospital

Healthy bladder habits can improve or prevent bladder control problems. While you’re in the hospital:

• Drink plenty of water (unless your doctor restricts fluids for heart or kidney reasons). Staying hydrated is especially important in Michigan’s dry, heated indoor air during winter.
• Limit bladder irritants, such as:
  • Coffee and caffeinated tea
  • Alcohol
  • Carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks
• Empty your bladder completely each time you use the toilet. Take your time and try to relax.

If you normally do not need pads or continence aids at home, you probably will not need them long-term after your hospital stay, especially if any temporary issues (like medications or surgery) improve.

Good Bowel Habits in the Hospital

Constipation and diarrhea are both common in older adults during a hospital stay, especially after surgery or when taking new medications. To support healthy bowel habits:

• Use a good toilet position:
  • Sit with your back straight and lean slightly forward.
  • Rest your forearms on your thighs.
  • Raise your feet on a small footstool or a stack of towels, so your knees are slightly higher than your hips.
• Stay as active as you safely can:
  • Short walks in the hallway or room (with staff or a walker) help stimulate bowel movement.
• Drink enough fluids (unless your doctor tells you otherwise).
• Eat fiber-rich foods if allowed on your diet:
  • Whole grains
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Beans and lentils

Fiber adds bulk and softness to stools, making them easier to pass. Avoid relying on laxatives every day; use them only when needed and as directed by your doctor.

Tell your nurse or doctor if you notice changes in your bowel movements, such as:

• Stools becoming hard, pellet-like, or difficult to pass
• Stools becoming very loose or watery
• Bowel movements becoming much more or less frequent
• New pain, blood, or mucus in your stool

Changes in Bladder and Bowel Habits: When to Speak Up

While you are in a Grand Rapids hospital, let staff know if you notice any changes in:

Bladder Habits

Tell a nurse or doctor if:

• You need to urinate more often than usual
• You feel a strong, sudden urge and have to rush to the toilet
• Urination is painful or burning
• You leak urine on the way to the toilet or without warning
• Your urine looks cloudy, very dark, or has a strong odor

These can be signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is common in older adults and can be more frequent in cold Michigan months when people tend to drink less water.

Bowel Habits

Tell staff if:

• You are constipated (no bowel movement for several days, or straining)
• You have diarrhea or very loose stools
• Your bowel pattern changes suddenly
• You see blood in the toilet or on the toilet paper

Some medications—including pain medicines, diuretics (“water pills”), and certain antibiotics—can affect your bladder and bowels. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medicines could be contributing to any problems.

Toileting When You Have Limited Mobility

Hospital staff in Grand Rapids are experienced in helping patients who are:

• Confined to bed
• Weak after surgery or illness
• Recovering from falls or fractures
• Using oxygen or multiple IV lines

If it is safe for you, it is usually best to get up and use the toilet rather than a bedpan or urinal. Sitting on a toilet often makes it easier to empty your bladder or bowels completely.

However, if you cannot walk safely, there are several helpful toileting aids:

Commode Chairs

A commode chair is a portable chair with a built-in toilet pan that can be placed next to your bed. It is useful if:

• You can get out of bed with help
• You cannot safely walk all the way to the bathroom

Nursing staff will help you get on and off the commode as needed and will respect your privacy.

Bedpans and Urine Bottles

If you cannot get out of bed:

• Bedpans can be used for both urine and stool.
• Urine bottles (urinals) are often used by men for urination while lying or sitting in bed.

These are usually made of plastic so staff can:

• See the color and amount of urine
• Measure your fluid intake and output, which is important if you have heart, kidney, or other medical conditions

Mattress and Bed Protection

To protect the hospital mattress and keep you comfortable, staff may use:

• Mattress protectors
• Absorbent pads or underpads
• Adult incontinence pads or liners

These products are especially helpful if you:

• Have incontinence
• Are restricted to bed rest
• Are taking diuretics, which make you urinate more often
• Have had surgery that makes walking difficult or painful

Local Support and Resources in Grand Rapids

If bladder or bowel issues continue after you leave the hospital, talk to:

• Your primary care doctor or geriatrician in Grand Rapids
• Urology or pelvic health clinics affiliated with Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
• Kent County Health Department – for public health information and local resources
• Grand Rapids-area home health agencies – if you need help at home after discharge

These professionals can help you with continence assessments, pelvic floor therapy, medication review, and long-term management plans.

Key Takeaways for Older Adults in Grand Rapids Hospitals

• Incontinence is treatable and not a normal part of aging.
• Always ask for help getting to and from the toilet—especially if you feel weak, dizzy, or unsteady.
• Good bladder and bowel habits, staying active, and drinking enough water can prevent many problems.
• Hospital staff are trained to protect your privacy, dignity, and safety.
• If you notice any change in your bladder or bowel habits, tell your nurse or doctor right away.

By speaking up and working with your Grand Rapids healthcare team, you can stay safer, more comfortable, and more independent during your hospital stay and after you return home.