What is your patient experiencing?
- Inability to control his or her bladder and/or bowels. Signs may include leaking urine, problems emptying the bladder, and soiled underwear and bed sheets
What is causing it?
- Urinary tract infections, enlarged prostate, dehydration, diabetes, use of diuretics, caffeine and other medications, etc.
- Medication side -effects
- Mobility problems preventing the person from getting to the bathroom in time
Advice for the Care Partners
- Routinely have the person use the bathroom every 2 to 3 hours- Don’t wait for him or her to ask
- Be on the lookout for signs of needing to use the bathroom, such as restlessness or pulling at clothes
- Make it easy
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- Help them choose clothing that is easy to get in and out of, such as sweatpants
- Mark the bathroom door with a sign or picture of a toilet
- Plan ahead
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- Limit fluids after 6 p.m. with doctor’s advice. Avoid fluids with caffeine, such as coffee or tea
- Know where restrooms are located when going out, and have an extra set of clothing on hand
- Adjust
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- Disposable briefs or underwear, bed protectors, and waterproof mattress covers may help prevent accidents
Information taken from the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health
Reviewed by AlzOC September 2015 NIH October 2012
For more information, read: Incontinence from Alzheimer’s Orange County.