Urinary incontinence happens when someone experiences urine leakage on accident. If your elderly loved one has this issue, there are many things you may need to learn. The first thing to remember is they are likely already embarrassed, so do your best to not draw attention to the issue unless absolutely necessary. 24-hour home care can be invaluable in awkward situations like dealing with incontinence, and they can also play a vital role in helping your senior deal with the side effects. Here are a few facts to know about urinary incontinence in seniors:
Causes of Urinary Incontinence
There are many things that can cause urinary incontinence including, but not limited to, the following:
- Urinary tract infections
- Vaginal irritation or infection
- Constipation
- Overactive bladder muscles
- Weak bladder
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
- Nerve damage
- Arthritis
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Prostatitis
- Enlarged prostate gland
When you or a home care provider take your elderly loved one to their doctor, you can find out what the cause of their urinary incontinence is. 24-hour home care can be there to take your senior to their doctor visits and to pick up supplies they may need.
Kind of Urinary Incontinence
There are various kinds of urinary incontinence such as:
- Stress incontinence (when urine is putting pressure on the bladder)
- Urge incontinence (when someone suddenly needs to urinate but can’t hold it any longer)
- Overflow incontinence (when small amount of urine leak out of the bladder which is full at all times)
- Functional incontinence (happens in elderly adults who have normal bladder control but just can’t make it to the toilet on time for a number of reasons)
Again, just as with the causes of incontinence, your elderly loved one’s doctor can talk to you and your loved one about the type of urinary incontinence they have.
Tips for Managing Urinary Incontinence
If your elderly loved one does have urinary incontinence, there are some ways that this can be managed. Your senior’s doctor will give out certain treatments and recommendations to manage the condition. Some of the options that might be used include:
- Taking medication
- Avoiding caffeinated beverages such as sodas, coffee, and tea
- Keeping the pathways to the bathroom clear
- Keeping a light on to the bathroom
- Offering or encouraging regular bathroom breaks
- Wearing underwear that are easy to put on and take off
- Wearing absorbent briefs when needed, especially when away from home
These are some of the most common tips for managing urinary incontinence. If your elderly loved one does these things, they may have fewer accidents. It may help them to feel less embarrassed about their condition, as well.
Conclusion
Urinary incontinence can cause embarrassment and frustration amongst the elderly. Your elderly loved one may not want to talk about this issue and they may even shy away from telling you it is happening for a while. If your elderly loved one does come to you with symptoms of incontinence, let them know it is okay. 24-hour home care can help hour senior deal with the embarrassment, symptoms, laundry and more. If they have urinary incontinence, there are numerous ways that the condition can be managed, starting with the tips that were provided above.
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/urinary-incontinence-older-adults
If you or an aging loved-one is considering 24-hour home care in Peabody, MA, please contact the caring staff at Nurta Home Healthcare today. (781)-300-7495
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