As a person ages, changes can occur to the body that cause incontinence. Though many families are unsure about how to address this caregiving issue, these strategies may make it easier to provide your elderly loved one with compassionate care.
Seek Medical Advice
In most cases, a physical or psychological cause can be found for a senior’s incontinence. Treatable conditions such as urinary tract infections can cause a temporary loss of bladder control that goes away once the underlying condition has been treated. In the event the condition isn’t curable, your loved one’s physician may still be able to treat it with therapeutic exercises, medication, or surgery.
Urinary incontinence is just one of the many health issues older adults are susceptible to. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elderly home care. Trust Align Home Care to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
Pack a Care Bag
The embarrassment associated with incontinence can cause seniors to become isolated. Encourage your loved one to get out in the community, and bring along a hygiene bag with a change of clothes and cleaning wipes to use if an accident happens. Planning shorter trips to places with accessible bathrooms can give your loved one more confidence as he or she adjusts to going out while managing incontinence.
If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Align Home Care, a Portland at-home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Choose Clothing Carefully
Seniors with limited mobility sometimes experience incontinence when they cannot get to the bathroom and remove their clothes quickly enough. However, switching to pants with elastic waistbands means your loved one won’t have to fumble with buttons and zippers. This can also make clothing easier to remove if an accident occurs.
Protect Dignity
Incontinence can be emotionally devastating for seniors, and being changed by another adult is sometimes embarrassing. As you help your loved one, show empathy and respect by changing him or her out of soiled clothing quickly while making it clear it’s not a big deal. Many families also find in-home caregivers bring a level of professionalism to incontinence care that reduces potential embarrassment.
Incontinence is a serious health concern that could impact your loved one’s ability to handle everyday activities independently. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Align Home Care, a trusted provider of respite care Portland seniors can depend on. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (207) 835-3490 to learn more about our customized care plans.