How to Deal with Incontinence from a Practical Standpoint
Managing incontinence isn’t easy to do, but if you and your senior can stick to the basics, you can get farther than you think.
Talk about it, but Don’t Talk about it Too Much
You and your senior need to talk about what she’s experiencing with incontinence, especially if you’ve both glossed over the topic in the past. But you also need to be careful not to talk about it so much that you or your senior feel that the topic is all you talk about.
Label Bathrooms and Mark a Path
Memory issues can deal a cruel blow to your senior if she also faces incontinence issues. Using a sign for the bathrooms in the house can be more helpful than you think, especially if they’re attractive and stand out. You might also find a way to mark the pathway to the bathroom so that it’s even easier to find in emergencies.
Clear the Way
In addition to labeling a path to the bathroom you might want to make sure that you remove as many of the obstacles on the way to the bathroom as possible. Even decorative items can slow your senior down, which might be the difference between a successful trip and a bit of an accident.
Wardrobe Malfunctions Can Be a Problem
Your senior’s clothing can have an impact on her bathroom trips, too. If her clothes are difficult to get into or they’re tough to maneuver, it’s going to be much more difficult for her to get to the bathroom as quickly as she might need to. Clothing that uses snaps, Velcro, or even that pulls up can be much easier to operate. This is especially true if you’re helping.
Give Other Incontinence Products a Try
Your senior might have some incontinence products she already likes, but there are new options coming out all the time. Every once in a while, give some new products a try. You never know when you’ll find a new one that your senior loves even more.
Get Some Extra Help
If your senior has a lot of health issues or you simply aren’t able to keep up, it doesn’t hurt to have someone else around who can help out. Elder care providers understand that challenges of incontinence care and they can help you and your senior to manage everything that has to happen.
Managing incontinence doesn’t have to be difficult or embarrassing. It’s just another situation that needs careful attention. You’ve both got this.
Excerpt: Incontinence can take a huge emotional toll on your senior. Here are some practical steps you can take.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elder Care in Manhattan, MT please contact the caring staff at AdvoCare Home Care Services today at 406-582-5402.
