Incontinence is a very sensitive topic for many elderly adults, but it is also one of the most common issues seniors face. Experts estimate that at least 17 million people throughout the United States are dealing with urinary incontinence on a daily basis. This incontinence can be caused by a wide variety of issues, but regardless of the cause, it can have a serious and negative impact on your aging loved one.

A senior who is dealing with incontinence, whether that includes urgency, frequency, loss of control, or a combination of these effects, maybe less likely to enjoy an active lifestyle. They may be uncomfortable leaving the home, and feel unsure of their ability to participate in outings and activities.

Fortunately, there are ways you can make a senior with incontinence feel more confident when they are leaving the home. This can ease their stress and discomfort, and encourage them to experience a more fulfilling and healthy lifestyle.

Use these tips to make a senior with incontinence feel more confident when leaving the home:

Check out maps of the area or destination ahead of time to locate restrooms so you can strategize.

Avoid potentially irritating beverages and foods before leaving the home. This includes alcohol, caffeine, and spicy food.

Encourage your parent to use the restroom just before leaving the house and then again upon arriving at the destination.

Bring along your parent’s “kit”, which should include items such as extra clothing and incontinence products.

Discourage your parent from avoiding all fluids. While this might make them feel as though they will be less likely to experience symptoms, this actually isn’t the case. Dehydration can irritate the bladder and make it more likely your parent will experience incontinence symptoms.

Schedule visits to the bathroom throughout the outing. Even if your parent does not feel the urge to go, they should visit the restroom regularly to reduce the chances of symptoms.

Challenges and limitations that come along with aging can impact your parent in many different ways. They struggle with the physical effects of difficulties such as incontinence, but they also cope with the emotional impact, and the change these limitations have on their functioning, daily activities, and way of life.

Introducing home health care into your care routine with your senior is a fantastic way to help them to maintain more of their lifestyle, support their health and well-being, and helps him to deal with the challenges they are facing in dignified and meaningful ways.

This in-home health care services provider can help your parent to find ways to deal with these challenges and limitations while also pursuing more independence, staying active and engaged, and maintaining their sense of self. This can include respectful and dignified personal care assistants, making sure they have the proper supplies with them when they go out, emotional support and companionship, and more. As a family caregiver, this can help you to feel more confident in your senior’s quality of life, and also reduce stress if you are struggling with the need to help your parent with sensitive care tasks.

Source:  https://www.depend.com/en-us/incontinence-help/bladder-leakage-basics/youre-not-alone–the-statistics-of-urinary-incontinence

For Home Health Care Services in Cordova TN, please contact the caring staff at Personal Care Services MidSouth today!