A Lowdown On Dealing With Incontinence In Someone With Dementia

Patients with dementia are often challenging to manage, since beside memory loss, confusion is common too in people who have dementia. This can lead to loss of continence, or bladder control problems- even fecal incontinence, due to their inability to get to the washroom or confusion about properly using it. Urinary incontinence often develops as a symptom in the later stages of dementia. Nearly 60-70 percent of adults that have dementia develop incontinence. But in no way does that mean someone who has dementia will definitely develop incontinence. Caregivers must research the condition further so that they can navigate their way around the problem effectively.

Reasons for incontinence in people dealing with dementia:

As dementia progresses, the ability of an individual to respond to their surrounding is compromised coupled with loss of ability to communicate and expressing their wants. It even becomes difficult for them to recognize their urge to urinate resulting in involuntary leakage of urine or feces. The person’s social life can go for a toss due to this further distancing the individual from their loved ones. Here are the reasons for incontinence in brief:

1. Communication problems, inability to express their needs
2. Mobility issues
3. Trouble recognizing the need to urinate or bathroom, and use the toilet properly due to changes in brain brought about by dementia
4. Unable to find and reach bathroom in time
5. Medical conditions, such as constipation, enlarged prostate, side effects of prescribed medications, and diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, can also lead to continence problems in individuals with dementia.
6. Urinary tract infection (UTI), which too, is prevalent among people with dementia.

The risk for incontinence is further heightened for individuals that are obese, menopausal women, pregnancy, enlarged prostate, certain medications, and age (bladder muscles weaken with increasing age).

Since many of the aforementioned conditions are treatable, consulting with a doctor for a thorough evaluation to figure out the exact cause of the incontinence is a wise step.

Here are some tips for caregivers:

Incontinence, without a doubt, can be cited as one of the most daunting care issues to handle. Get a consult with a doctor at the very first signs of incontinence to exclude any reversible causes, such as UTI or diabetes. If there’s no such cause, follow these tips by Sanctuary Senior Living Anthem facilities:

1. Make washroom accessible for your beloved
2. Encourage your loved one to wear clothes and/or absorbent products (pads, adult underwear) conducive for the situation
3. Ensure proper lighting in the bathroom, which will further improve visibility
4. Schedule toilet breaks at regular intervals (an effective way to handle ‘the loss of communication to express their needs’ situation)
5. Give them instructions regarding steps of toileting process
6. There are incontinence briefs/disposable briefs for difficult seniors unwilling to wear incontinence products
7. Work towards maintaining a good bladder health, which is possible through diet (plenty of fiber consumption like fruits and vegetables, steer clear of caffeine, limit fluid intake before bed) and regular exercise

Remember incontinence care requires a great deal of patience and understanding, and caregivers must work towards making sure the person’s dignity is preserved.