How to Help Seniors Deal with Incontinence

By Jessica Ott | October 6, 2023 |

As seniors grow older, they face tons of various different health challenges, including incontinence. Incontinence can have a serious impact on daily life for seniors. It’s also a health issue that is very emotionally charged. Incontinence can be managed, but some seniors may need extra help. This is particularly true for seniors who are facing other issues as well. 24-hour home care services may be the perfect solution for seniors who need around-the-clock help.

Understanding What Causes Incontinence in Seniors

24-Hour Home Care Hanover PA – How to Help Seniors Deal with Incontinence

Incontinence doesn’t have just one cause, unfortunately. That means that seniors could be experiencing these challenges for many different reasons. Neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke, or Parkinson’s disease can lead to incontinence, for instance. Muscle weakness, especially in the pelvic floor, can lead to stress incontinence. Some medications that seniors take for other health conditions can also cause incontinence as a side effect.

Strategies to Help with Incontinence

It’s vital to get a medical perspective on possible causes in order to help seniors manage incontinence correctly. Consulting with a senior’s doctor helps to narrow down possible causes. It’s also a good idea to do a medication review to help determine if medications need to be adjusted or swapped out for others that can solve the same problem, but also reduce incontinence. Doctors can also refer patients to pelvic floor specialists, who can narrow down which pelvic floor exercises might be beneficial.

Putting Together a Comprehensive Care Plan

Regardless of what the cause is for the incontinence, it’s vital to put a comprehensive care plan in place. If the solutions are related to diet and exercise, it’s important for family caregivers to know how to help and what the guidelines are for recovery. The right plan is going to provide solutions for each of the contributing factors that individuals are battling when it comes to incontinence. As needs change, the plan is also going to need to change in order to keep up with the senior’s situation.

Getting Help from 24-Hour Home Care for Seniors Who Need More Assistance

Some solutions, like toileting assistance, hygiene care, and scheduled bathroom breaks are much easier with additional help from elder care providers. 24-hour home care providers can be there around the clock to assist with medication reminders, scheduled bathroom breaks, and mobility support. Having that targeted assistance all day and night can be incredibly beneficial for seniors in keeping incontinence managed. Caregivers are also able to stay on top of monitoring how the care plan is working for seniors so that family caregivers know when they need to make adjustments.

Incontinence is common, but it is also manageable. That’s an important fact to remember because otherwise, it’s easy for family caregivers to become overwhelmed. It’s also all too easy for seniors impacted by incontinence to feel depressed about what they’re experiencing. 24-hour home care providers can do a lot to help seniors experience a high quality of life while also effectively managing their incontinence in an easy and safe manner. This is a condition that can be handled with dignity while also supporting independence.

If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care Services in Hanover PA, please talk to us. Our friendly staff can answer all of your questions. In-home Senior Care in Adams and York Counties, PA. Call Today: (717) 698-8258.

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Jessica Ott

Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC

Jessica Ott is the Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC.

A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC is dedicated to providing our clients with a better quality of life through our support services while maintaining their independence in the comfort of their own home.

As a Home Care Agency licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, we can provide families with peace of mind, knowing their loved one is in good hands.

We will work with you to prepare a care plan that incorporates your needs, your wishes, and your preferred schedule. Each client is matched with a caregiver who can best meet their individual needs, whether they reside in a house, apartment, condominium, assisted living, or nursing community.