PIP Activity 5: Managing Toilet Needs - Complete Scoring Guide

Activity 5 is the hardest one to write about. It covers getting on and off the toilet, managing clothing, cleaning yourself, and dealing with incontinence. This is PIP2 Question 7. Many people leave this blank or write very little because of embarrassment. But being specific here can score significant points.

The Descriptors and Points

a. Can manage toilet needs unaided - 0 points.

b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to manage toilet needs - 2 points. Raised toilet seat, grab rails, commode, stoma bags, catheters, incontinence pads. Any of these = 2 points.

c. Needs supervision or prompting to manage toilet needs - 2 points. Someone reminds you to use the toilet, or needs to be nearby for safety.

d. Needs assistance to manage toilet needs - 4 points. Help with clothing, cleaning, or getting on/off the toilet.

e. Needs assistance to manage incontinence of either bladder or bowel - 6 points. Help changing pads, cleaning after accidents, managing catheter or stoma.

f. Needs assistance to manage incontinence of both bladder and bowel - 8 points.

What You Need to Describe

Be specific and honest, even though it is uncomfortable:

• Can you get on and off the toilet independently?
• Can you manage your clothing (trousers, underwear) on the toilet?
• Can you clean yourself properly afterwards?
• Do you use incontinence pads? How many per day?
• Do you have a catheter or stoma?
• How often do you have accidents?
• Does urgency limit your activities?

Conditions That Score Here

IBS (urgency, accidents), Crohn's/colitis (frequent urgent bowel movements), MS (bladder and bowel dysfunction), spinal conditions (difficulty getting on/off toilet), mobility conditions (cannot reach to clean), dementia (incontinence), prostate problems, pregnancy complications, medication side effects.