Caregivers have to contend with elderly incontinence round the clock.
On many occasions, you can really get frustrated and stressed while you are maintaining the dignity of the aged person.
It is not his wish to wet the bed.
Believe me, they feel very bad and helpless about it.
It can lead to low self-esteem.
The word incontinence means losing or having no control over your bowel.
As the person responsible for an aged person's care, such an experience takes you back to when you had to take care of an infant.
There is a lot of cleaning up to do, not forgetting the likelihood of the person getting injured as they rush to the toilet.
All is not lost, however.
Elderly incontinence at night can be managed.
As a caregiver, here are some tips on managing an elderly person's incontinence: • If the restrooms are located at some distance from the bedroom, ensure that there are no obstacles along the way.
By reaching the restroom quickly, an elderly person will make it just in time before the bladder releases itself.
Have the area fitted with sufficient lights and leave them on at night.
Alternatively, install motion sensitive lights that automatically switch on when someone passes nearby.
Another modification would be to raise the toilet seat so that your loved one does not have to struggle so much.
• Rather than making your elderly parent walk all the way to the washrooms, consider the option of buying a portable toilet.
The urge to relieve your bowels most often comes with that of visiting the toilet.
In the sudden haste to make it to the restroom, this is where accidents happen.
The portable toilet can be placed somewhere within reach and emptied in the morning.
• Stock up on adult diapers and other products that help to maintain incontinence at night.
Buy diapers that are disposable or re-usable as the case may be.
Talk to the elderly person kindly and explain the need for them to use diapers.
Some may reject them outright as it can be viewed as an attempt at lowering their dignity.
Alternatively, you can spread a sheet of polythene paper between the bottom sheet and the mattress.
There are also mattress protectors that can be used in preventing a mattress from getting wet.
• Incontinence at night can make an elderly person feel embarrassed.
It might even lead to depression.
Show your loved one that you understand the condition and will do everything within your ability to assist him or her.
Introduce him to incontinence pads and diapers.
Show them how to wear the diaper and to remove them.
Remind them to wear the diapers at night as they will aid in protecting them from bed wetting embarrassment.
During your small talk, tell your aged parent how proud you are of him or her.
Give words of encouragement emphasizing that she is not the only one suffering from incontinence.
• Reduce the intake of fluids at night.
This will lead to fewer visits to the washroom.
At the same time, ensure that your loved one has emptied their bowels just a few minutes before retiring to bed.
Elderly incontinence at night can further be dealt with by seeking the assistance of a medical practitioner.
Arrange to visit a doctor and discuss the problem.
He may recommend some changes in diet among a range of other treatment options.
You can also take it upon yourself to be waking up an aged person at certain intervals during the night in order to relieve their bowels.