Assuming the role of caring for an aging parent or elderly relative is an extremely difficult undertaking.
The role of caregiver gives you the responsibility of caring for your loved ones emotional and physical well being.
In order to fulfill this role effectively the caregiver must be aware of the physical and emotional limitations that may be affecting the aging parent or relative in their care.
One of the many issues that affects seniors is the problem of urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urinary control.
Commonly referred to as UI, urinary incontinence affects more than 20 million people in the United States and is a major issue for older adults.
What Causes Urinary Incontinence? It's important to understand that urinary incontinence, in and of itself, is not a disease.
UI is a condition that is symptomatic of a variety of underlying medical and/or physical conditions.
That being said, it also needs to be understood that UI is not a normal part of the aging process; but it does have the potential to place older adults at an increased risk for bed sores, falls & UTI (urinary tract infections).
Helping Your Aged Loved On Manage Urinary Incontinence If you are caring for an aging parent or loved one, there are a few things that you can do to help deal with the challenges associated with urinary incontinence.
See a Doctor - Taking your loved one to see a doctor is important, because there is much that can be done to manage and treat UI.
Some doctors recommend you keep a journal that details the daily activities of your loved one and how many accidents they have.
This journal is used to keep an account of the times of the accidents, the types of meals that they have eaten, the medications they have taken, etc.
It will give the doctor enough information to make an informed enough decision to create a treatment plan.
Make the bathroom accessible - Ensuring that the bathroom is accessible is extremely important for your loved one.
This can be done by removing any obstructions that may be in the hallway leading to the bathroom.
It's also recommended to have the pathway to the bathroom well lit.
This can be done with nightlights or glow in the dark tape.
Purchase a portable commode - In case your loved one can't make it to the bathroom in time, it is helpful to have a portable commode that they can use for an emergency.
Be sure to leave a little water in the portable commode, because it makes it easier to clean.
Raised toilet & seats - If you find that your loved one makes it to the bathroom, but has an accident before they are able to use the toilet, it could mean that the toilet is too low & they have a problem sitting down.
This problem can be remedied by replacing your current toilet with a raised toilet.
A more cost effective solution is to purchase a plastic toilet seat riser; this can save you the hassle of replacing the toilet in the bathroom.
As the primary caregiver it is your duty to work with your loved one through these difficult times and assure them that this is not something they should be ashamed of or embarrassed about.
By keeping a detailed journal, remaining aware & following treatment options, UI can be made into a manageable situation.
The role of caregiver gives you the responsibility of caring for your loved ones emotional and physical well being.
In order to fulfill this role effectively the caregiver must be aware of the physical and emotional limitations that may be affecting the aging parent or relative in their care.
One of the many issues that affects seniors is the problem of urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urinary control.
Commonly referred to as UI, urinary incontinence affects more than 20 million people in the United States and is a major issue for older adults.
What Causes Urinary Incontinence? It's important to understand that urinary incontinence, in and of itself, is not a disease.
UI is a condition that is symptomatic of a variety of underlying medical and/or physical conditions.
That being said, it also needs to be understood that UI is not a normal part of the aging process; but it does have the potential to place older adults at an increased risk for bed sores, falls & UTI (urinary tract infections).
Helping Your Aged Loved On Manage Urinary Incontinence If you are caring for an aging parent or loved one, there are a few things that you can do to help deal with the challenges associated with urinary incontinence.
See a Doctor - Taking your loved one to see a doctor is important, because there is much that can be done to manage and treat UI.
Some doctors recommend you keep a journal that details the daily activities of your loved one and how many accidents they have.
This journal is used to keep an account of the times of the accidents, the types of meals that they have eaten, the medications they have taken, etc.
It will give the doctor enough information to make an informed enough decision to create a treatment plan.
Make the bathroom accessible - Ensuring that the bathroom is accessible is extremely important for your loved one.
This can be done by removing any obstructions that may be in the hallway leading to the bathroom.
It's also recommended to have the pathway to the bathroom well lit.
This can be done with nightlights or glow in the dark tape.
Purchase a portable commode - In case your loved one can't make it to the bathroom in time, it is helpful to have a portable commode that they can use for an emergency.
Be sure to leave a little water in the portable commode, because it makes it easier to clean.
Raised toilet & seats - If you find that your loved one makes it to the bathroom, but has an accident before they are able to use the toilet, it could mean that the toilet is too low & they have a problem sitting down.
This problem can be remedied by replacing your current toilet with a raised toilet.
A more cost effective solution is to purchase a plastic toilet seat riser; this can save you the hassle of replacing the toilet in the bathroom.
As the primary caregiver it is your duty to work with your loved one through these difficult times and assure them that this is not something they should be ashamed of or embarrassed about.
By keeping a detailed journal, remaining aware & following treatment options, UI can be made into a manageable situation.