I posted this on the Caregiver Spouse forum this morning regarding pads to protect the bed:
I bought some really nice ones at Walmart. They are quilted cotton on one side
and waterproof on the other and are 29" by 33". They go into both washer and
dryer. I don't remember how much they cost but I think it was about $8 each. I
found them in the medical supply area near the pharmacy.

Pat, My sister gave me several of those pads after her mother-in-law passed away. They are a god sent. I put 2 under the sheet but on top of the mattress cover, saves a lot of laundry. I have recently put on on the couch so if Frank falls asleep there, I just leave him and if he wets the couch isn't ruined. I glad to know where to buy them incase I need more.

I bought some huge ones from Amazon. I mean, they are about 35 inches wide and about 50 inches long. I put one on the bed over the sheet and if it gets wet, I ususally get it before the sheet gets damp and take it off and replace it with a freshpad. That way I just replace the pad and the sheet stays in place. Takes about 30 seconds. I habe three of them and I may get more. They are so handy.

It doesn't hurt to put one on the car seat, either.

Good idea. He's already annointed the passenger seat in our new Prius. (Just urine, thank goodness.) It was not one of my finer hours.

Using the Condom Catheter really helps when we go in the car. I don't worry so much anymore. But a pad would give me a little extra peace of mind in case of a 'rear failure."

I should explain the "muddy rivers." Mom has, along with everything LBD brings, collagenous colitis, basically eternal diarrhea. We have it under control most of the time with some extraordinarily medication. But when the meds don't do their job or need to be adjusted, it's the muddy Mississippi.

I've used some of the bed pads with the 30 change (over the sheet). Unfortunately, on two I got online (I think from the Bedwetting Store, but don't quote me) the plastic melted in the dryer, making them useless.

I do buy the larger pads, sometimes they can be found in 36" x 72" because Mom still sleeps in her full bed and moves around a lot. These longer pads, I'm told, are meant to cover the entire length of a twin bed, but I just turn them the other way and the cover the trouble area across the whole bed. I also use a chair pad on "her" chair - a lift chair. I've used them in the car, too, on long trips (more than 2 hours). But the couch - now that's something I've thought of but never done. That I need to try! Actually, there are several chairs, etc., that I need to do this for.

My niece made her Grandma some pads with some sort-of waterproof fabric. They've got some flannel-like surface so feel like a small blanket. They're good for not-too-often used chairs and car seats, but I need to see the plastic for heavily used furniture. She got this fabric from a fabric store she worked in while in college. But she generally knows were to get the fabric she wants.

I remember that, in the 60's and later, Mom made some tablecloths for the outdoor furniture out of decorated plastic backed with felt that she found in the fabric store. I think they still sell some version of it.

Thanks for all of the ideas!

Kate