How to Best Manage Incontinence in Older People

Urinary incontinence is a urinary system condition caused by the malfunction of the muscles around the bladder. People suffering from an overactive bladder usually leak urine by accident, like when they laugh or sneeze. This can happen to anyone, but it is more common in older women. Bladder control issues are uncomfortable and can be embarrassing enough for other people to experience depression, high anxiety levels, and social withdrawal. No matter how complex the situation is, there are some things you can practice to manage your incontinence.

Control your bladder

If you are suffering from an overactive bladder, you'll often find yourself in a difficult situation where you feel the need to urinate, but there are no restrooms nearby. So you need to practise urgency suppression to control urges to urinate. For example, try distracting yourself, taking deep breaths, scratching your legs, or diverting your attention to something else until you find a toilet. Another thing that you can do is Kegel exercise or pelvic muscle exercise, which strengthens the muscles around the bladder to avoid any leaks.

Change your lifestyle

Older people tend to have a hard time breaking old habits, but some modifications can make incontinence more manageable. Start by improving your eating habits, cutting off alcohol, drinking the right amount of water, and losing weight. Limiting your fluid intake before bedtime can also help to avoid or minimise leaks. Lifting heavy loads must also be avoided even after treatment.

There are also products like incontinence underwear, bladder control pads, insert pads, waterproof throws, etc., that you can use to make yourself more comfortable. Ask your healthcare provider to help you find the products that suit you best and inform you how to use them properly.

Prevent skin damage

Frequent urination and leaks may lead to skin problems like dryness and rashes. Keeping your skin dry and clean is crucial in keeping your skin healthy. When at home, always clean your skin with warm water and mild soap to avoid irritation. It is also important to be armed with the right products like pH-balanced moisturisers, moistened cleansing wipes, and barrier creams that you can use even when not at home. However, make sure to follow the prescribed frequency of usage of the products to avoid complications.

Talk to a friendly face

The battle against urinary incontinence is not just physiological; it also affects your psychological health. It’s normal to feel embarrassed and uncomfortable at first, and you’ll also lose some of your hard-earned confidence and self-esteem, but you have to gather your strength to overcome this challenge. Talking to someone whom you trust is a good start. Tell your partner, family, or friend about your struggles, and you’ll be reminded of the respect and love people have for you. If talking to a confidante is hard for you, you can seek the help of a professional psychologist. Overcoming your dark and negative thoughts is an important part of your healing process.

Urinary incontinence can be very uncomfortable and unsettling, affecting your daily routines and even your psychological health. But you can make it more manageable by following these tips.