Of course, if he does have a disability that stops him from doing it for himself, then by all means, your grandmother should of course, help him with it.

Does the hospital have a visiting nurse service that you can use for the first few weeks until your grandparents are more confident with the whole routine? That might be a big help to them.

At first, he may have some leaks and some skin problems, but that’s to be expected (it’s a very rare ostomate who doesn’t have some sort of problem with this at first). There are many ways to remedy these problems. Let him know he’s not alone – thousands have gone before him and conquered it and so will he There are quite a few message boards out there for them to join if they have a computer, that will offer them encouragement and support as they continue on this journey.

I hope he has a stoma nurse, because he/she will be invaluable to him in these first few months. If he doesn’t have one, see if you can get a referral to one.

Good luck.