As we age, our bodies age too. An issue that many elderly people face is incontinence. Having difficulty controlling bladder functions can be scary and uncomfortable for seniors and it is something that needs to be properly addressed and managed, so that our beloved seniors can live happy and healthy lives. In this article, we will discuss how to properly manage bladder health in older adults to help prevent and address incontinence. Read on to learn more!
1. Empowering Elders to Takecharge of Their Bladder Health
For older adults, bladder health can often go overlooked. This is unfortunate because it can have a big impact on a person’s quality of life. Thankfully, there are ways for seniors to take charge of their bladder health, no matter how advanced they may be in age.
- Renew your commitment to physical activity: Regular exercise is known to not only improve overall physical and mental well being, but can also help maintain a healthy bladder function. Talk to your healthcare provider about the types of exercise you can safely engage in and then start doing it!
- Monitor your fluid intake: Drinking excessive amounts of fluids can lead to incontinence episodes. Drinking too little can cause UTIs. Monitor your liquid intake to achieve a happy balance and maintain realistic bladder control.
- Get annual checkups: Paying routine visits to your doctor, seeing a gynecologist for women and seeing a urologist for men, can help you detect and treat any bladder health issues as soon as possible.
- Quit smoking: Smoking can damage the bladder and urinary tract in addition to other organs in your body. Talking to a healthcare provider about quitting may be the best way to help yourself.
Elders looking to take charge of their bladder health should also watch for these common red flags: Frequent nighttime urination or the urge to go to the bathroom often during the day, discomfort during urination, sudden urges, and constant leaking of urine. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it’s time to talk to your healthcare provider.
By taking the necessary steps to stay on top of bladder health, seniors can live their golden years with confidence. It’s never too late to start—empower yourself and take charge today!
2. Understanding the Impact of Incontinence on the Elderly
Incontinence can have a large impact on the elderly, especially those living alone or with limited support. It can bring immense physical, emotional and financial strain on seniors and their loved ones.
Physical: Many elderly people endure painful skin problems due to urinary and fecal incontinence. Soiled materials, medications, and skin cleaning products can lead to damage such as damage to the skin barrier or skin tears. These issues, combined with the frequent hygiene routines, fatigue, and potential falls can induce major physical discomfort for the elderly.
Emotional: Incontinence can be a very embarrassing issue among the elderly. This isolation and embarrassment can lead to depression, especially in those living in care facilities, as they may experience social isolation. Additionally, the elderly may even experience a fear of being exposed or of not being able to make it to the restroom in time.
Financial: Incontinence can be a costly medical issue. Some of the expenses include:
- Additional medical tests and supplies
- Treatments, such as physical therapy and medications
- Caregiver and/or housekeeping services
- Home modifications
In addition to the medical costs, elderly individuals may also face a strong financial burden due to a loss in ability to work. Although today’s healthcare systems offer some methods of financing incontinence-related expenses, many elderly people still bear a heavy burden.
3. Practical Solutions for Managing Bladder Health
Having a healthy bladder means understanding how the bladder functions, how it’s sustained, and simple solutions for a healthier lifestyle. Bladder health should be as important as any other organ, so practice these tips to get started!
Drink Plenty of Water
A lot of us reach for soda or coffee when we’re feeling parched, but to truly take care of your bladder and overall health, you should incorporate more H20 into your diet. Water helps to keep your bladder clean and flush out germs and bacteria.
Avoid Foods and Drinks High in Acid
Foods and drinks high in acid, like oranges and soda, can increase your risk of bladder irritation. Ditch the acidic options and opt for foods that are neutral or alkaline. Adding more vegetables to your diet is a great way to neutralize your body and help reduce the burning associated with bladder infections.
Practice Good Hygiene
- Always wipe from front to back! This will help keep bad bacteria away from your bladder.
- Change underwear daily
- Avoid synthetic and tight-fitting clothing
Your bladder deserves proper care and attention. Make sure you are practicing good hygiene in order to keep the bladder healthy and prevent future pain.
4. Support Systems for Addressing Incontinence Challenges
Coping with incontinence can be quite a challenge. It can have a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life and can be a source of great distress. Fortunately, there are many support systems available that can help address the challenges associated with incontinence.
Rehabilitation services: Rehabilitation services such as physical therapy and exercise programs can help an individual strengthen their pelvic muscle floor, which enables them to gain better control over their bladder. These services also teach behavioral changes and strategies to help manage incontinence and ultimately improve quality of life.
Counseling: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective method of counseling that can help an individual better cope with the stress and anxiety that can come with incontinence. CBT can teach individuals how to better recognize, understand, and change their behaviors and emotions in order to make positive, long-lasting changes.
Incontinence supplies: There are a variety of incontinence supplies available that can help an individual manage and cope with their incontinence. Some of the most common supplies include:
- Pads and absorbent underwear
- Urine collecting bags
- External catheters and leg bags
- Urine devices and alarms
These supplies can greatly improve an individual’s quality of life by providing them with the necessary protection and assistance to manage their incontinence.
5. Promoting Overall Quality of Life for Elderly Suffering from Incontinence
Many elderly people struggle with incontinence – the leakage of urine or feces due to an inability to control bladder and bowel movements. It’s a condition that can significantly impact seniors’ quality of life. Here are 5 ways to help promote overall quality of life for the elderly suffering from incontinence.
- Make bladder training part of daily life. Bladder training helps the individual learn how to control their bladder and reduce incontinence episodes. Involving them in a daily exercise routine, such as swimming, walking or yoga, can help build their strength and endurance in order to better manage bladder control.
- Encourage healthy habits. Recurring incontinence is often caused by certain dietary habits. Encouraging your senior loved one to reduce risky foods, such as caffeine and alcohol, and increase their intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, can help reduce incontinence episodes. Additionally, ensuring they drink plenty of water throughout the day helps to keep urine flow regular.
- Provide support for stress. Stress is often linked to incontinence episodes, so providing stress relief activities, such as listening to calming music, writing in a journal, or practicing relaxation and breathing exercises, can help reduce stress levels and, in turn, reduce incontinence episodes.
- Practice daily pelvic floor exercises. Pelvic floor exercises strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and pelvic organs. Practicing these exercises daily can help reduce incontinence episodes.
- Encourage the use of incontinence products. Incontinence products, such as adult diapers, bed pads, and protective underwear, can make it easier for seniors to manage incontinence. Encouraging your senior loved one to use these products while they take part in their daily activities can make them more comfortable, and help them to stay dry and lessen the risk of incontinence episodes.
With the right support and practices, seniors suffering from incontinence episodes can still enjoy a high quality of life. Understanding the needs of seniors and offering them the appropriate help and support can make a huge difference in their everyday lives.
Though incontinence may feel like an issue too delicate for open discussion, understanding the importance of bladder health will lead to empowering moments in both self-care and a better quality of life for the elderly. It’s time to take the taboo out of the conversation by treating incontinence with the same care and respect that any health issue deserves.
