A decline in bladder or bowel control can be caused by a variety of factors, so if your aging parent is having issues, the first location you should go to is the physician or a specialized health professional to determine the underlying trigger. Incontinence can be caused or exacerbated by a variety of medical disorders, including urinary tract infections, which can be readily treated with medicine. In some situations, a person’s prescription drugs might create undesirable side effects and it may be feasible to switch to a different type of medicine. A generic deterioration of the pelvic muscles is a major cause of incontinence in older adults too, which can be improved by specific exercise regimens. Continue reading for tips on how to help your elderly parent improve urinary continence.
Observe the Signs
As incontinence may be humiliating, many elderly people try to conceal their discomfort. They may be both afraid and in denial about what is unfolding in their bodies. Stay on top of any big lifestyle modifications that your parent may be trying to mask their incontinence concerns.
Wearing black outfits or constantly changing attire to cover wet spots are two common ways individuals hide incontinence. They might also be concealing garbage bags in cupboards to dispose of filthy garments. If your parent’s habits shift accordingly, it’s better to speak to them about the right incontinence treatment methods.
Declutter and Clear the Path
Another crucial aspect of good incontinence care is guaranteeing that the road to the toilet is rid of obstacles. If your loved one suffers from an overactive bladder, they may find themselves needing to go to the bathroom at any time. If this happens and they bump into anything on their route to the bathroom, it might result in an injury.
It can be uncomfortable to get up at midnight to use the toilet and you can take steps to ease them into their routine. Keeping the route clear of large furniture items can prevent your parent from falling or suffering various serious injuries. Installing a motion sensor night light near the bathroom door or in the corridor can also assist in minimizing slips.
See a Urologist and Get Treated
All of the recommendations above are excellent methods to assist your family member deal with the impacts of incontinence. But when indications of incontinence begin to take a toll, it is critical to take your parents to a urologist.
Seeing an expert helps ensure that the sort of urine incontinence they have is accurately identified. Identifying the kind of urine incontinence, whether it’s urge, stress, overflow, functional incontinence, or a combination, is essential for an effective action plan.
Your parents’ doctor may also advise them to practice specific exercises regularly to enhance the muscles that aid with urine control. These practices, often known as Kegel exercises, are particularly useful for stress incontinence but may also assist with urge incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is usually common in the elderly with Alzheimer’s disease in its advanced stages. This might be because of a lack of awareness that they need to urinate, forgetting to use the bathroom, or being unable to locate the loo. Use our advice provided above to assist your parents in achieving better urine continence.
