Dementia care necessitates both empathy and creativity to deal with a range of complicated behaviors and effects, and that is especially true with regards to incontinence with dementia, something that is extremely common in Alzheimer’s along with other forms of dementia. These tried-and-true approaches are often helpful in decreasing the impact of incontinence and curtailing an escalation of emotions in someone you love with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Choose your words carefully. Rather than making reference to incontinence products as “diapers,” for example, call them “briefs” or “pull-up underwear.” Having said that, take the cue from your senior loved one; if he or she chooses to utilize the expression “diapers” and sounds more comfortable with that, then follow along.
- Eliminate regular underwear from the older adult’s dresser. To avoid misunderstandings or opposition to wearing incontinence products, make certain that those are the only option in his or her closet.
- Try out a variety of products. With different brands, sizes, and absorbency levels on the market, it could take some experimenting to get one that’s most comfortable and effective.
- Use backup products overnight. To help stop the senior loved one from waking during the night from incontinence-related issues, try inserting booster pads within the absorbent underwear, and use products marked for heaviest coverage. Waterproof mattress protectors and disposable bed pads can also be extremely helpful.
- Ensure easy accessibility into the bathroom. Conduct a walk-through of the areas the senior spends time in to determine how straightforward it is for him or her to get to the bathroom. Specifically, do away with any clutter, cords, or throw rugs in the person’s walking path to protect against falls.
- If an accident does happen… Maintain a relaxed demeanor so as not to offend (or further upset) the senior loved one, and say something such as, “It seems like something may have spilled on your pants; let’s get you some clean clothes,” or “It looks like your pants are wet; that happens occasionally.”
- Address unwillingness to keep products on. For seniors who consistently try to remove incontinence products, first see whether you can determine why. If discomfort is an issue, exchange the product for one that may be more comfortable. Or your senior loved one could be attempting to change if there is a feeling of wetness.
In all instances, watch the older adult’s skin for signs of rash or irritation, and contact his / her doctor if observed.
For more incontinence care tips, or to find out about Independence-4-Seniors Home Care’s reliable, professional dementia care Hinsdale and the surrounding areas trust, reach out to us at (630) 323-4665.