Whether you're caring for a loved one with dementia or are employed as a professional caregiver, you'll likely need to know how to help them manage urological symptoms. About 53% of individuals with dementia have one or more types of urinary incontinence, while others may experience neurogenic bladder and recurrent urinary tract infections. Although it can be difficult at times, it's important to remember that these complications are often a side effect that occurs as dementia progresses. To help you along the way, here are a few caregiving tips to help manage incontinence and other urology-related complications in dementia patients.
Caring for Someone with Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease
Dementia is a broad term that describes various conditions caused by a decline in cognitive abilities. It often involves memory loss but can also affect reasoning and communication skills. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and accounts for the majority of cases. It's a progressive, irreversible disorder caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain that gradually degenerate nerve cells and lead to changes in daily life and behavior. Although there's no cure, early diagnosis can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life as stages of dementia progress.
Understanding Incontinence
Incontinence is the loss of bladder or bowel control that can lead to leakage or accidents. It can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, but it does become more prevalent in older individuals or those with underlying conditions. The causes can vary, from weakened pelvic floor muscles to nerve damage and medications, but it's essential to manage symptoms, whether caring for someone else or handling your own personal care.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is defined as the unintentional loss of urine. It's quite common and affects millions of people every year. However, older individuals and women tend to experience incontinence more often, especially those experiencing medical issues relating to nerve damage or cognitive decline. Two of the most common types of urinary incontinence in individuals with dementia include:
- Urge Incontinence — characterized by a sudden and intense need to urinate.
- Functional Incontinence — occurs when a person has difficulty reaching or using the toilet due to physical or cognitive impairments.
Fecal Incontinence
On the other hand, fecal incontinence involves the inability to control bowel movements, resulting in the involuntary passage of stool. This condition can be caused by various factors such as muscle or nerve damage, gastrointestinal disorders, or age-related changes, and it significantly impacts an individual's emotional well-being and daily activities.
Why Do People with Dementia Develop Incontinence?
Dementia can cause incontinence at some point during cognitive decline, but other factors affect this condition as well.
- Increased Frequency of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- Reduced Mobility
- Side Effects of Medications
- Communication Issues
- Cognitive Impairment
Overactive bladder (OAB) is common among individuals with dementia and encompasses several urologic symptoms, including urinary incontinence.
Tips for Caregivers to Help Manage Dementia Patients
Managing incontinence is one of the biggest challenges for caregivers of those with Alzheimer's or other types of dementia, as communication and reasoning can become increasingly impaired. Unfortunately, most individuals with dementia cannot manage medical conditions on their own, which is why they often need help from family or a professional. Here are some important tips to help you manage incontinence and other urology-related symptoms as a caregiver.
1. Get Educated on Urology Issues Associated with Alzheimer's Disease
When you're caring for someone, it's important to understand the specific challenges associated with their unique circumstances. This includes understanding the urology-related issues they are facing. Spend some time getting educated and learning about what's going on. You can also look at resources from the Family Caregiver Alliance or the Alzheimer's Association.
2. Try to Identify the Cause of Bladder or Bowel Incontinence
Although it can be difficult, identifying the underlying cause of incontinence or other urologic conditions can help you manage it more effectively. This will likely require medical advice or care from a healthcare professional, but it's worth it and can make dementia care much more straightforward. Talk to their healthcare provider about any symptoms or issues when caring for a loved one. If you're a professional caregiver, make sure you have consent to discuss the family's loved one's condition with their doctor.
3. Take Advantage of Insurance-Covered Urology Supplies
Finding the right incontinence supplies can make management less stressful, but the cost can add up. Luckily, many individuals diagnosed with are eligible to receive some degree of coverage for supportive products. Starting with protective underwear is a good option, as it can reduce the effects of accidents or leaks. To help with communication and avoid causing embarrassment, it's a good idea to use terms that don't include the word "diaper," as this can make many people avoid certain products altogether. Byram Healthcare has a range of urology products to help manage heavy incontinence, mild urologic issues, and everything in between.
4. Be Calm and Respectful
It can take some time to get used to caring for someone with dementia, so please be patient and respectful of their situation. This is especially important if someone has an accident. It's already embarrassing enough, so try to help them manage the situation discreetly without calling attention to it.
If you're helping your loved one alone and can't seem to manage all the responsibilities, ask for help from family or consider looking at private programs for caregivers. This can help you maintain a good relationship before the cognitive decline worsens.
5. Respect the Privacy of Your Patients
You can help your loved one or patient use the bathroom, but it's still important that you respect their privacy. Relying on someone for these basic functions can cause a lot of stress and anxiety, so try to give them alone time when possible or at least turn around or look away when they're using the toilet.
6. Be Prepared for Accidents
Dementia patients eventually have accidents, so try to be prepared for them in advance. Keep a bag with extra supplies when you're with your loved one or patient, and always ensure their medications are nearby. In your emergency bag, you should have:
- Sanitary towels
- Wipes and gloves
- Incontinence products
- An extra pair of underwear
- An extra change of clothes
7. Watch for Physical Signs of the Need to Use the Bathroom
Adults who experience dementia may develop physical cues that they need to use the bathroom. This is their body's way of showing that they need to urinate despite the potential lack of neural signals between the bladder and the brain. Some physical cues include restlessness, fidgeting, or specific gestures, which can help you respond promptly and guide them to the toilet.
8. Keep Alzheimer's Patients on a Bathroom Schedule
Timed voiding can help decrease the risk of accidents associated with incontinence, so create a schedule and stick to it. Start by going to the bathroom once every two hours and make adjustments as needed.
9. Use Incontinence Pads at Night
Nighttime incontinence is also common among dementia patients. Utilizing incontinence pads at night ensures a more comfortable and hygienic sleep environment that doesn't require extensive clean-up every morning.
10. Consider Catheterization
In some cases, catheterization may be the best option. If you think this could help, consult with their doctor to determine the appropriateness and potential benefits of catheterization.
11. Dress Patients in Comfortable Yet Uncomplicated Clothing
The harder it is to get out of an outfit before using the bathroom, the greater the risk of an accident. Try to dress patients in comfortable, uncomplicated clothing. For instance, pants with elastic rather than buttons or zippers can be a huge help.
12. Ensure the Bathroom is Easy to Find and Easy to Get to
Another key tip is to make the bathroom easy to find and even easier to access. To avoid any issues associated with functional incontinence, make sure there are no obstructions from the bath to the toilet, and put a supportive railing inside to help with stability. Clearly label the bathroom, keep the door open, use lights for guidance, or even mark the way on the floor. Doing what you can to make the bathroom an obvious point in their home can have a big impact.
13. Get Medical Advice from Their Doctor
Before changing their regimen or doing anything outside of the treatment plan, it's essential that you discuss things with their doctor. Oftentimes, home care is not a replacement for their primary care physician, so always listen to their doctor's medical advice and keep them updated with how things progress.
Dealing with incontinence, whether it's your own or someone else's, is not always the most glamorous job. However, several different types of incontinence products are available to help make your life easier. To support care for your loved one or patient, Byram Healthcare offers a wide selection of high-quality urologic supplies that can be discreetly delivered to your door. Browse our catalog today or contact one of our representatives for more information.
