Managing Incontinence.

(picture from NAFC site)

According to the article in the recent July/August Healthy Living Magazine from Sams Club, the types of incontinence are stress, urge, reflex, overflow, functional, & mixed. The National Association For Continence can help you understand what type you may be dealing with. The first step in helping someone with this problem is to acknowledge it. Hold private conversations with your elderly parent or whoever you are taking care of if you suspect the issue - they may be too embarrassed to talk about it. Mom was pretty open with me and we tried to make time for bathroom stops, extra time to leave home or wherever we were, making sure we took 'extra supplies' - just in case. You have to be patient and supportive.

A clinical nurse, Michelle Mongillo, who wrote the article has tips for managing incontinence:
.. prepare a clear path to the bathroom -- remove clutter, furniture or rugs.
.. assemble sturdy arms or rails to assist the person getting out of bed or a chair. Mom had bed rails that she loved!!
.. provide adequate lighting and night lights.
.. dispense adequate fluids so urine will not become concentrated and irritate the bladder.
.. establish a pattern to take the elderly parent to the bathroom, start at 2 hour intervals.
.. supply incontinence products that correlate with the problem; the smallest/most minimal will be more dignified for the wearer. Try various brands and sizes -- it took mom a few tries until she found the ones that fit the best and were comfortable, without showing, under her slacks.

If you have any concerns, the NAFC site has an online forum that will provide resources for you.