Posted on: March 18, 2020
Dementia care requires both compassion and creativity to deal with a variety of challenging behaviors and effects, and that’s particularly true in relation to urinary incontinence, something that is very common in Alzheimer’s as well as other forms of dementia. These tried-and-true approaches are generally effective in decreasing the effect of incontinence and preventing an escalation of emotions in someone you love with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Pick your words carefully. Rather than talking about incontinence products as “diapers,” for instance, call them “briefs” or “pull-up underwear.” Having said that, take the cue from your senior loved one; if he or she prefers to utilize the word “diapers” and appears to be at ease with that, then follow along.
- Eliminate regular underwear from the older adult’s dresser. In order to prevent confusion or resistance to wearing incontinence products, be certain that those are the sole option in his or her closet.
- Test assorted products. With different brands, sizes, and absorbency levels available, it could take some experimenting to find one that’s most comfortable and effective.
- Use backup products overnight. To help prevent the senior loved one from waking up throughout the night from incontinence-related issues, try placing booster pads within the absorbent underwear, and use products marked for heaviest coverage. Waterproof mattress protectors and disposable bed pads are usually also extremely helpful.
- Ensure easy accessibility to the bathroom. Perform a walk-through of the areas the senior spends time in to estimate how easy it really is for her or him to reach the bathroom. Most notably, do away with any clutter, cords, or throw rugs in the senior’s walking path to avoid falls.
- If an accident does happen… Maintain a calm demeanor in order not to hurt (or further upset) the senior loved one, and say something like, “It seems like something might have spilled on your pants; let’s get you some clean clothes,” or “It seems like your pants are wet; that happens sometimes.”
- Address hesitancy to keep products on. For senior loved ones who regularly try to remove incontinence products, first see whether you can discover the particular reason why. If uncomfortableness is an issue, try different types of products for one that will be much more comfortable. Or the senior might be trying to change if there is a feeling of moisture.
In all cases, pay attention to the older adult’s skin for indications of rash or irritation, and contact his/her medical professional if observed.
To get more urinary incontinence care tips, and to learn about the elder care options that are available to help you be a successful family caregiver, contact Alivity Care Advocates today at (248) 375-9125.