Alzheimer's and Urinary Incontinence: Support for Caregivers

With the issues that are facing those with memory related illnesses, there are certainly ways that this can affect the body. Having to run to the bathroom a lot can be a problem for those with this condition. Not only can certain medications make these issues worse over time, there are also times when people lose almost total control of their body. In fact there are reports that over sixty percent of people with this issue who have Alzheimer’s will face it at one point or another. However, this is not something that will happen to everyone. Incontinence can not only make a patient feel uncomfortable, it can make them feel embarrassed and uncertain of themselves. It's important for caregivers to understand what urinary incontinence is and how it affects their loved ones.

With Alzheimer's, there are a few reasons why incontinence can occur:

• Urinary tract infection
• Constipation
• Prostate issues
• Certain medications

According to the Bladder and Bowel organization, the symptoms of incontinence may include:

• Not being able to feel like they need to go to the bathroom
• Issues in mobility
• Not being able to tell people they need to go to the bathroom
• Not remembering how to use the bathroom
• Not being able to find the toilet

There can also be burning and other painful issues that can arise, however this does not apply to everyone who is facing Alzheimer's. Sometimes, avoiding certain foods and knowing a proper diet can be important for both the patient and caregivers. Sometimes, spicy foods and other processed ingredients can lead to incontinence, but also limiting drinks before bed can also be a way to assist those who have dementia and other issues. 

Although it can be said about numerous fields of this matter and form, those who deal with individuals who face these issues are truly going above and beyond. They are there to provide compassionate understanding to those with dementia and other memory related diseases. There have been ways that this disease has been found to impact overall bathroom usage. This can lead to other issues, such as infections if not addressed.

Discussing the proper information with a healthcare provider can be a source of comfort for those who are looking to discuss these matters. Since there are different matters about this topic, knowing what the future has in store for those with this issue is something that deserves recognition. Getting counsel and information on the issues not only critical, but suggested by various researchers throughout the healthcare field. Looking for different ways to approach this highly suggested, as future treatments for this are being found out by researchers.