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Below:
• How to keep it under control
• Here are some other tips that will help keep accidents and frustration at a minimum:
• Further Resources
Note: This article has been localised for an Irish audience. Most carers will do practically anything for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. They'll give baths, help to dress the person, cut up food into manageable bites and patiently answer the same question 20 times in a row. But when a patient starts wetting or soiling himself, even the most dedicated carers can feel defeated. Its hard to face the prospect of constantly cleaning urine stains from the sofa cushions or changing the sheets three times a night. Such accidents, in fact, drive some dedicated caregivers to look for nursing homes. It doesn't necessarily have to be that way. Sometimes, with a few simple steps, you may be able to help your loved one regain control, or at least more comfort, while saving yourself some work and distress. How to keep it under control The first thing you should do is discuss the problem with the patient's doctor. Incontinence - especially urinary incontinence - is a very common condition among older people and it may have nothing to do with Alzheimer's. For instance, many older people have an overactive bladder, which leads to a sudden and urgent need to urinate and causes frequent leaking. Others have trouble squeezing urine from the bladder, so the bladder overfills and produces a more or less constant dribble of urine. Due to weak pelvic muscles, many older women lose urine when they sneeze, laugh or exert themselves. A person with bowel incontinence may be suffering from an infection, diarrhoea, constipation, or a faecal impaction (an accumulation of waste lodged in the bowel). Many of these problems are reversible. A doctor can prescribe medications to improve bladder and bowel control in some cases. For instance, several drugs are available to calm an overactive bladder,and a number of medications can help people empty a bladder that is overfull. As the brain damage done by Alzheimer's progresses, you may need to take extra steps to prevent accidents. A confused person can forget to go to the bathroom, or he may not remember what to do once he gets there. You can help by taking your loved one to the bathroom every few hours and, if necessary, showing him the toilet. You should also watch for restlessness, such as tugging at clothes, or other subtle clues that he may need to relieve himself. If the person you are caring for continues to have accidents, do your best to keep him comfortable. To prevent sores, wash the skin thoroughly and apply powder to keep it dry. "Adult briefs" or absorbent pads can be extremely useful in preventing accidents, as long as the patient doesn't find them too uncomfortable or demeaning. He may be more accepting of pads if he can pull underwear over them, or if they are built into the briefs themselves. (If your loved one suffers from faecal incontinence, he probably needs to wear adult briefs.) Most of all, try not to scold a person for accidents. Your loved one isn't trying to make your life difficult. Rest assured, he dearly wishes he could take care of himself. Here are some other tips that will help keep accidents and frustration at a minimum: • If your loved one has trouble finding the bathroom in the early stages, put up clear signs with words and pictures. |
| •If walking is a struggle, buy a portable commode to shorten the trip. A commode next to the bed can be especially useful for preventing night time accidents. |
| •If a person often wets the bed, limit her fluids before bedtime. In later stages, use adult briefs and put a plastic cover under the sheets. |
| •Make sure a person has plenty to drink during the day. Without enough liquids, a person can become constipated and dehydrated. |
| •Provide clothes such as tracksuits, which are easy to take off quickly. |
| •If patterns of urination change dramatically, have the person evaluated for a possible urinary tract infection. |
| •If the person with Alzheimer's has diarrhoea, consult with your doctor; the condition often needs to be treated aggressively. |
| •If an over stressed carer mistakes a urinary accident for a deliberate act, he or she may in rare instances lose control. If you ever find yourself becoming abusive or yelling after your loved one has an accident, seek counselling help immediately. You don't want to take out your anger on a bewildered, demented person and your reaction is a sign that you need more help caring for him. |
Further Resources Alzheimer Society of Ireland Alzheimer House 43 Northumberland Road Dun Laoghaire Co Dublin Telephone 01 284 6616 Fax 01 284 6030 Alzheimer National Helpline 1800 341341 www. alzheimer.ie West of Ireland Alzheimer Foundation Main Street Ballindine Co Mayo Telephone 094 936 4900 Fax 094 936 4946 www.westernalzheimer.ie Alzheimer Support Group / Dementia Support Group Highfield Hospital Group Swords Road Whitehall Dublin 9 Telephone 01 837 4444 Fax 01 837 9013 www.highfieldhospital.com This article has been revised by Vhihealthe for its audience and may contain, among other things, information or medical practices that are unique to Ireland. Neither Consumer Health Interactive nor the original author make any warranty as to the accuracy of the article as revised, and assume no responsibility for modified content.
First published August 7, 2003
Last updated February 7, 2007
Copyright © 2003 Consumer Health Interactive
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