What Can You Do to Be Prepared When Helping a Senior with Incontinence?
Incontinence can crop up as a temporary issue as a result of another health problem or it could gradually become a bigger concern for your senior. The more prepared you are, the easier it is to help your senior with incontinence.
Elderly Care in Cascade MI: Helping a Senior with Incontinence
Keep Supplies on Hand.
You’re going to need the same sorts of supplies several times a day, so it makes sense to stock up. You are going to need:
- Incontinence pads or underwear.
- Wipes.
- Waterless soap.
- Anything else that works for your senior.
While you’re going to store the majority of your supplies in one central location, you’re going to need them in other places, too. Try keeping smaller incontinence supply packs in gallon-sized plastic zippered bags in each bathroom. You might want to make sure that you keep one in your bag, too.
Rethink Your Senior’s Clothing.
When you’re helping your senior with incontinence issues, you might start to realize that some of her clothing is not conducive to the situation. She may also start to have trouble getting her clothing off in time to get to the bathroom. One way around this is to start gradually adapting her wardrobe. Pants and shorts with elastic waists might be a better option than clothing with zippers and buttons, for instance.
Have a Plan for Outings.
Going out and about can be particularly trying for both you and your senior when she has incontinence issues. She may feel embarrassed that something might happen or she might not want other people to ask her questions about what’s going on with her. Make sure you have supplies on hand and consider adding a change of clothes, as well just in case.
Don’t Make a Big Deal of It.
If you make too much of a big deal out of this situation, your senior might be more embarrassed than ever. You definitely want to let elderly care providers and other people who help your senior know what’s going on, but try to do it in a way that isn’t embarrassing. Elderly care providers have a lot of experience with this type of situation and they can help you and your senior manage it.
Helping your elderly family member to deal with incontinence doesn’t have to be an awful experience for you or for your senior. Keep your sense of humor and learn as much as you can about what your elderly family member needs. Work with her doctor to see if there are any medical solutions that you can try.
If you or someone you know needs help with elderly care in Cascade, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
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