As people age, health challenges like dementia and incontinence often go hand in hand. Dementia affects memory and daily tasks, while incontinence means trouble controlling the bladder or bowels.
This is especially common in people with dementia, as changes in the brain can make it harder for them to stay in control or recognize when they need the bathroom. Knowing this can help caregivers offer more thoughtful support, helping their loved ones feel comfortable and respected.
What is Incontinence?
Incontinence means having trouble controlling bladder or bowel movements. As dementia progresses, people may develop either type of incontinence, adding to the challenges they face.1
When it comes to dementia, cognitive decline can make it harder to recognize the need to go to the bathroom or even remember how to get there.1 But with the right care and interventions, incontinence can be managed, making life a little easier for both those affected and their caregivers.
Fecal Incontinence
Fecal incontinence is when someone can’t control their bowel movements1, which can be especially tricky for someone with dementia. The cognitive decline associated with dementia makes it harder to realize the urge to go or even remember what to do when they feel it.1
There are a few reasons why this might happen, like nerve damage, constipation, poor diet, or medications. It can be challenging for both the person affected and their caregiver, but there are ways to manage it.
Here are some tips:
- Adjusting the diet to include more fiber and fluids1
- Sticking to a regular toilet schedule1
- Ensuring a toilet is always accessible1
For more information, read: Bowel Incontinence – Time We Talk About It
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is more common in people with dementia, and it means losing control over urination. There are different types:
- Urge incontinence: A sudden, strong urge to urinate with little warning2
- Stress incontinence: Leaking when there's pressure on the bladder (like sneezing or laughing) 2
- Overflow incontinence: Constant dribbling due to an overfilled bladder2
- Functional incontinence: Struggling to reach the bathroom because of mobility issues 2
Common causes for urinary incontinence with dementia include forgetting to use the bathroom, side effects from medications, or mobility problems.
Caregivers can make a big difference by sticking to a regular bathroom routine, using the right incontinence products, and encouraging adequate hydration throughout the day.1
For more tips and advice, read: Caregivers Guide to Treating Urinary Incontinence in the Elderly
Incontinence with Dementia: Understanding the Challenges
If your elderly loved one develops dementia, they might seem different from the person you once knew. And now, more than ever, they need your love, care and understanding, especially if they are incontinent.
Incontinence can take a significant emotional and psychological toll on both the individual and their caregivers. For the person with dementia, the inability to control bladder or bowel movements can lead to feelings of embarrassment, frustration, and a sense of loss of dignity.
For caregivers, the emotional impact can be just as challenging. It can be overwhelming to manage incontinence along with the other responsibilities that come with caring for someone with dementia.
But remember, if you’re a caregiver, there are things you can do to help ease the pressure on yourself:
- Practice self-care: Caring for your own mental health and well-being is essential to being able to provide the best care.
- Seek professional help: Don’t hesitate to reach out to healthcare providers for advice or guidance.
- Join support groups: Connecting with others who are going through similar experiences can be incredibly reassuring.
Supporting Elderly Loved Ones with Incontinence
Below, we’ve compiled some useful information about caring for someone who has dementia and incontinence. This will help you to keep your loved one clean and comfortable.
Incontinence products and dementia
Someone with dementia might not understand why they need to wear anything other than their regular clothing and underwear. Depending on your loved one’s condition, you might have to explain exactly why you’d like them to wear incontinence pads or underwear.
To help your loved one feel at ease, try to make the switch to using these products a part of their usual routine. In addition to using protective products, it would also be helpful to protect beds, chairs, and other furniture. This will simplify your daily cleaning and help to keep your loved one’s environment fresh and clean. For more information, explore the TENA incontinence product range and our hygiene accessories.
How to make changing clothes easier
When a person becomes incontinent, they normally need to change their clothes more frequently. However, if they also suffer from dementia, it can be extra challenging, and they might need more assistance. To make things easier for both you and your loved one, try to make sure their clothing is easy to change.
Clothes with zippers and Velcro are simpler to manage than fiddling with buttons and snaps. If you’re able to make the changing process easier, your loved one is likely to feel less anxious or embarrassed, especially if they can dress or undress themselves with less assistance.
Diet change
You might find that changing your loved one’s diet could improve their general well-being. A warning though: they might resist such changes, especially if, due to dementia, they’ve developed a dislike of, or liking for, particular foods. To make sure they eat a balanced diet, it’s good to discuss any changes with their doctor or a dietician. It’s also important to make sure your loved one is staying hydrated. So, try to keep an eye on their fluid intake to ensure that it’s consistent.
Home adaptations
To further improve your loved one’s comfort, try installing a portable toilet chair/commode in the room(s) where they spend most of their time. This helps if a person has problems making it to the bathroom in time, especially at night.
You might need to explain to him or her, though, why you’re doing this. It’s important to consider your loved one’s feelings and talk through your proposed changes with them, as they might be sensitive to them.
Medications for bladder control
Your doctor may prescribe medication that treats the bladder’s urge to urinate. Or one that changes how often the bladder tells the body that urination is about to occur. These medications generally reduce frequent urges to urinate when your loved one is unable to make it to a toilet fast enough.
These medications could have side effects like constipation and dry mouth. It’s important to stay informed about these too.
Helping to get bathed
Hygiene is important — particularly if your loved one is incontinent. With dementia, he or she might neglect to wash themselves and it could require more assistance and as well more patience from your side.
References
1. Medical News Today. ‘At which stage of dementia does incontinence start?’. 2023. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dementia-incontinence-stage
2. MayoClinic. ‘Urinary Incontinence- symptoms and causes’. 2023. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20352808
