Incontinence
- Maintain dignity and minimize embarrassment when an accident occurs
by remaining calm and reassuring your loved one.
- Set up a routine for using the toilet. Remind your loved one about it or assist
him or her to the bathroom every two or three hours.
- Don’t restrict fluids to avoid incontinence — dehydration can lead to very serious
problems, and proper fluid levels regulate the bladder.
Next Step
Learn strategies to cope with dementia-related behavioral issues .
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Causes of incontinence vary. Your loved one may simply be unable to find the bathroom
or remove clothes in time. He or she may also have a physical condition that makes
some incontinence unavoidable. Regardless, the following ideas can help reduce the
frequency of accidents.
Keep a log of when your loved one uses the bathroom. This will help you identify
his or her natural schedule and adjust regular bathroom visits accordingly. A log
may also help a physician identify the source of the problem.
As with other daily activities, vision problems can contribute to incontinence.
Signs or a brightly painted bathroom door can help. Your loved one might not see
the toilet, especially if it is the same color as the wall behind it. Placing a
commode by the bed can prevent nighttime incidents.
Next Step: Learn strategies to cope with erratic, annoying,
or disturbing behavior.
