Use these strategies when caring for incontinence to help ease symptoms in older loved ones.
It is not something most people would feel comfortable revealing to others. As a matter of fact, the embarrassment of even bringing up incontinence can often be enough to keep the issue concealed. Not only that, but there’s a common misconception that it is simply a standard part of getting older and needs to be discreetly accepted and sorted out. Yet the fact is, fifty percent of all older adults struggle with urinary incontinence to some degree for many different reasons, many of which are treatable. This makes it quite crucial to bring this issue to light.
How Can You Help a Loved One Who Has Incontinence?
When caring for incontinence in a loved one, there are a number of actions you can take to help, beginning with scheduling a visit to the doctor’s office. The physician can test for a UTI or other conditions that, once treated, can eliminate the problem. Below are some other tips to offer help to the person:
- Ensure hydration. Surprisingly, not drinking enough fluids can aggravate issues with incontinence. Scheduling trips to the bathroom every one or two hours, whether they have the urge to urinate or not, is a good way to deal with the intake of sufficient fluids.
- Consider clothing choices. Think through which kinds of clothing support easy accessibility to use the restroom, including pants with elastic waistbands over those with buttons and zippers. Apparel made of materials that are easier to clean and less inclined to stain are essential as well.
- Alter the menu. Some foods are known to trigger or worsen symptoms of incontinence. Reduce or remove spicy foods, tomatoes, acidic fruits, sugar, chocolate, carbonated and caffeinated drinks and alcohol from the person’s diet.
- Stay calm. It’s normal to feel irritated by the additional work caring for incontinence can cause. Still, remember that it is not in the person’s control, and they likely already feel upset about the condition. A calm, kind response to an accident will go a long way towards alleviating a stressful event for each of you.
- Purchase furniture and mattress protectors. Absorbent padding on the bed and waterproof coverings for other furniture can make cleanup faster and easier.
How Home Care Can Help
An in-home care provider from Grace Home Care is a wonderful addition to your incontinence care toolbox! All of our caregivers are trained in providing respectful, discreet care for loved ones struggling with incontinence, always maintaining the person’s dignity. We can assist with:
- Personal hygiene
- Laundry and light housekeeping
- Medication reminders
- Meal prep that is appropriate for someone with incontinence
- Friendly, understanding, and compassionate companionship
- And more
Contact us online or call us today at 785-286-2273 to learn more about how our in-home care services throughout the Topeka area can help someone you love better manage incontinence or other issues.