What is incontinence? It’s the loss of bladder control that can be caused by an infection, weaker pelvic floor muscles, or an enlarged prostate. Incontinence in women can be tied to the damage done to the pelvic muscles while carrying a larger baby and during childbirth. If you cough or sneeze and often leak urine, that’s all part of incontinence. This is known as stress incontinence. Personal care at home providers can help your loved one not feel embarrassed of incontinence issues and help keep up with their hygiene.
If your mom has been diagnosed with an overactive bladder, it’s known as urge incontinence. There’s also overflow incontinence that occurs when the bladder fails to empty fully after going to the bathroom. Some people experience a mix of types, which is called mixed incontinence. This can obviously be frustrating for your mom, and it adds to your to-do list each day. With some tips, bathroom routines are easier to manage. Here’s what you can do to help your mom avoid accidents.
Talk to Her Doctor
Your mom should ask her doctor. If she has a condition like an overactive bladder, certain medications can help. Lifestyle changes and pelvic floor exercises can also help. If her incontinence is tied to damage from a stroke, it may be harder to regain bladder muscle control.
Invest in Pads or Underwear
It doesn’t hurt to keep a stock of incontinence pads or underwear on hand. Pads are thin and discreet, so she doesn’t have to be embarrassed if she’s carrying a pad in her purse or pocket. Incontinence underwear is also much thinner than in the past and isn’t visible under a pair of pants.
If your mom has to go out, she may feel anxious about leakage. She doesn’t have to worry about that when she has incontinence products in place. It’s worth it for her peace of mind.
Keep Barrier Creams and Lotions on Hand
Once you’ve talked to your mom’s doctor and explored different treatment options, it may not completely cure your mom’s incontinence. If she still leaks, it’s important to protect her skin from irritation and infection. A barrier cream takes care of that.
Barrier creams and lotions create a protective barrier that keeps urine from sitting against the skin. With many options, it’s going to be easy to find a product that suits your mom’s budget and needs. Petroleum jelly or diaper cream is one of the most recognizable barrier creams, but there are many others.
Hire Personal Care at Home to Help
Personal care at home services help your mom with all aspects of hygiene and grooming that she struggles with. If she’s prone to accidents, her caregiver is there to help her clean up and take care of her skin to avoid irritation and infection.
Another benefit to personal care at home is that someone can remind your mom to try to go to the bathroom if she often waits until the very last minute. Arrange personal care at home for incontinence and toileting issues to help your mom.
Amelia Home Care provides traditional in-home care services, along with virtual caregiving and Personal Care at Home. Our service area includes Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Westchester County. Call today at (929) 333-3955.
We proudly provide non-medical home care services to individuals with disabilities, injuries, difficulties with mobility, or illnesses. Our team is composed of highly trained and competent staff members who are dedicated and experts in delivering home care services in the comfort of our client’s home.
Through our personalized care plan, we can give you the needed care services that are all intended to cater to your unique personal and health needs. With us, we ensure around-the-clock services and supervision to help you achieve optimum health and wellness.
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