Urinary incontinence can lead to a host of other problems, not the least of which is social isolation. As you parent’s fears regarding embarrassing themselves in public increases, their motivation to remain engaged and active also wanes. A vicious cycle begins which does little for their issues—physical or otherwise. As their family caregiver, you will want to make an appointment with their primary health care provider. Urinary incontinence can be a symptom of a more serious disease. Once those have been ruled out, consider the following.
- Both beverages and foods can irritate the sensitive lining of the bladder and increase symptoms of incontinence. These include caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol. In addition, while your parent needs to drink plenty of water throughout the day, limit the amount they consume right before bed.
- Strengthen Muscles. When muscles go unused, muscle tone is lost throughout the body. This include the muscles found in the pelvis, which help you hold your urine in. Strengthening these muscles through Kegel exercises can help decrease the amount and frequency of leaking.
- Be Prepared. Leave a tote bag by your parent’s door that contains the essentials should an accident happen. These include wipes, pads and a change of clothes.
- Schedule Bathroom Breaks. Whether at home or out and about, schedule bathroom breaks every two hours or more if needed.
- Make a list of your parent’s medications including over-the-counter remedies and supplements and ask their pharmacist to take a look at it. There may be a drug interaction or a specific medicine that is causing the problem.
- Make sure that your loved one has clothes to wear that are easy to get off such as elastic waistband pants.
- Adult Briefs. Gone are the days of baggy adult diapers. Today’s protective garments are slim and trim and offer material that is geared toward the adult population. Try several different brands and types until you find the one best suited for your parent.
- Get support. Incontinence can be a difficult issue to have to face for both you and your parent. Make sure you’re taking the time you need to recharge and refresh so that you can continue to be a strong and important part of your parent’s life. A home care provider has cared for countless seniors facing this issue and understands the delicacies involved as well as the need to maintain personal hygiene. Consider obtaining their services a few days a week. They will often become one of your parent’s closest companions.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring caregiver services in Scotch Plains, NJ, call the caring staff at Helping Hands Home Care today at 908-418-4299. Providing Home Care Services in all of Northern and Central NJ, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside and the surrounding areas.
Owner at Helping Hands Home Care
Robert D’Arienzo
After graduating from Seton Hall University with a BS in finance Helping Hands Homecare’s Owner / President, Robert D’Arienzo, went to work on Wall St. for six years. However, after Robert’s grandmother became ill with stomach cancer Robert and his family needed to find assistance in the home for her. After many trials and tribulations Robert could see that there was a great need for quality home care services here in NJ and loved the idea of being able to assist other families who were going through what his family went through with his beloved grandmother.
Thus, Robert had found his passion. After almost a year of preparation Robert opened Helping Hands Homecare in 2003. Robert wanted Helping Hands Homecare to focus on providing the highest quality of caregivers, exceptional customer service, and providing a service that familys could depend on in their time of need. Since then Helping Hands has assisted hundreds of individuals with the simplest of needs to more complex cases while preserving those standards set out many years ago.
Robert is a Google Verified Author
After graduating from Seton Hall University with a BS in finance Helping Hands Homecare’s Owner / President, Robert D’Arienzo, went to work on Wall St. for six years. However, after Robert’s grandmother became ill with stomach cancer Robert and his family needed to find assistance in the home for her. After many trials and tribulations Robert could see that there was a great need for quality home care services here in NJ and loved the idea of being able to assist other families who were going through what his family went through with his beloved grandmother.
Thus, Robert had found his passion. After almost a year of preparation Robert opened Helping Hands Homecare in 2003. Robert wanted Helping Hands Homecare to focus on providing the highest quality of caregivers, exceptional customer service, and providing a service that familys could depend on in their time of need. Since then Helping Hands has assisted hundreds of individuals with the simplest of needs to more complex cases while preserving those standards set out many years ago.
Robert is a Google Verified Author
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