Updated June 08, 2015.
When you're caring for a loved one or patient with Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia and you discover that they're incontinent, knowing how to respond can benefit both of you. Here are 7 tips for reacting to incontinence in dementia:
Sources:
Alzheimer’s Association. Incontinence. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-incontinence.asp
Alzheimer's Association, NYC. Incontinence and Toileting. Accessed July 30, 2012. http://www.alznyc.org/caregivers/incontinence.asp#tips5
Alzheimer Scotland- Action on Dementia. Continence management - advice for carers of people with dementia. Accessed July 23, 2012. http://www.alzscot.org/pages/info/continence.htm
Alzheimer’s Society. Coping with Incontinence. http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=136
Australian Family Physician Vol. 35, No. 4, April 2006. Urinary incontinence in dementia – a practical approach. www.racgp.org.au/afp/200604/200604yap.pdf
When you're caring for a loved one or patient with Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia and you discover that they're incontinent, knowing how to respond can benefit both of you. Here are 7 tips for reacting to incontinence in dementia:
- Respond calmly.
People with dementia often take their cues from others around them, so a calm response may decrease your loved one's frustration or anxiety about being incontinent. It may also make it easier for you to help her get changed into clean clothing.
- Understand the behavior.
Realize that some people are embarrassed so they might hide the evidence or deny there’s a problem. Understanding why your wife hid her dirty clothes can help you respond with patience. - Be non-confrontational.
Consider being indirect if he reacts with anger or aggression to accidents. You could say that something must have spilled on him (a true statement), or tell him it’s time to take a shower or for you to do the laundry. - Apologize.
A response of "I’m sorry I didn’t help you sooner" can remove or decrease your patient or family member’s defensiveness. - Reassure him.
People often may feel embarrassed by an accident and upset by the lack of privacy after incontinence. You can verbally reassure the person and acknowledge the frustration. Consider a simple statement like this: "It's ok. I know it must be frustrating but we'll fix it together." - Protect and clean her skin.
The skin of older adults is often very fragile and prone to breaking down and developing sores. Be sure to gently wash the affected area after incontinence. You can also use a cream or ointment to prevent diaper rash.
- Don’t blame her.
That will just make her feel defensive and angry, and perhaps provoke some difficult behaviors. When someone has Alzheimer's, being incontinent is almost never an active choice but rather an effect of the disease. Remembering this may help you respond to her incontinence in a way that helps both of you.
Sources:
Alzheimer’s Association. Incontinence. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-incontinence.asp
Alzheimer's Association, NYC. Incontinence and Toileting. Accessed July 30, 2012. http://www.alznyc.org/caregivers/incontinence.asp#tips5
Alzheimer Scotland- Action on Dementia. Continence management - advice for carers of people with dementia. Accessed July 23, 2012. http://www.alzscot.org/pages/info/continence.htm
Alzheimer’s Society. Coping with Incontinence. http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=136
Australian Family Physician Vol. 35, No. 4, April 2006. Urinary incontinence in dementia – a practical approach. www.racgp.org.au/afp/200604/200604yap.pdf
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