So many health issues and age-related changes can lead to incontinence for seniors. The big problem is that because this is an embarrassing problem, many seniors don’t want to talk about what’s going on until it’s an unavoidable topic. Home care assistance can help seniors and their families to deal with incontinence in a dignified way that helps preserve independence.
Stay Calm about the Problem
The first step with any embarrassing health problem is to stay calm about what is going on. It’s easy for everyone involved to be frustrated with what’s going on, and that’s definitely normal. But getting upset about the situation isn’t the answer. It’s much better to be as patient and supportive about what is going on as possible. There isn’t any need to assign blame, especially once other solutions are put into place.
Consider Clothing Choices
Clothing that is too tight or otherwise difficult for seniors to remove can make it extremely difficult for seniors to get to the bathroom on time when they need to go. Switching up clothing to looser styles that slip on and off easily ensures that clothing isn’t a hindrance. It’s also helpful for seniors to have elder care providers available to assist with personal care tasks.
Explore Furniture Protection
It can be upsetting to deal with incontinence for all sorts of reasons, but seniors may also feel embarrassed about potential leaks on furniture. Waterproof mattress pads, chair pads, and other protective devices help seniors to be less concerned about the possibility that they’ll experience leaks on their furniture.
Prioritize Proper Hydration
Another potential problem is that seniors who are incontinent sometimes decide that the right solution is to skip hydration. This doesn’t resolve the problem, however, and it can make things significantly worse. Skipping water and other fluids can cause seniors to develop a urinary tract infection, making leaks more likely and opening the door to bigger health problems if the UTI isn’t handled quickly enough.
Address Nutritional Changes
Some foods and drinks can make bladder irritation worse, which also makes incontinence worse. Spicy foods, carbonated beverages, and other stimulants can cause the bladder to become irritated, worsening incontinence. Keeping a food diary can help aging adults to notice how they feel after they eat and drink certain foods. Avoiding those foods or at least limiting them can help them to see relief.
Talk to Medical Providers
Underlying health issues can also be a cause of incontinence. Seniors should always make sure that they mention what is happening to their doctors so that they can screen for potential causes. Getting care for certain conditions can reverse the incontinence, removing the problem entirely. But if seniors don’t mention what they’re experiencing, they might not get the help that they need.
Seniors don’t have to deal with incontinence alone. Home care assistance and the support of family members can help significantly. Once seniors have a plan and find solutions that work for them, it’s all a matter of letting people help when they need it.
If you are considering home care assistance in Memorial, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Six Practical Nutrition Tips for Seniors - November 22, 2024
- Activities Seniors and Companion Caregivers Can Try Together - November 22, 2024
- Grief and Loss in Caring for Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease - November 15, 2024
