How To Help Seniors Manage Urinary Incontinence At Home

Vancouver Senior Health  |  September 24, 2019

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC, Needs to Know About Managing Incontinence At Home

Urinary incontinence is the inability to control urine elimination – a condition that is fairly common in aging adults. Although many seniors may have more serious medical concerns to think about, untreated incontinence can cause several health complications, affect social connections, and ruin a person’s self-esteem.

For these reasons, successfully treating and managing incontinence is an important factor in maintaining independence and quality of life in senior years.

What Causes Urinary incontinence?

During urination, muscles known as urethral sphincters tighten to push urine from the bladder into a tube called the urethra. At the same time, the muscles around the urethra loosen up to allow the exit of urine.

When these sphincters are not working properly, incontinence occurs. In most cases, incontinence happens over short periods and is most commonly caused by an infection of the urinary tract or constipation or as the side effects of a newly introduced medication.

Urinary Incontinence Treatment

Depending on the frequency and intensity of incontinence, a doctor can recommend the following:

• A urinalysis that will rule out infections or traces of blood in the urine
• Checking kidney functions, calcium, and glucose levels through blood tests
• A complete physical exam
• Treating an overactive bladder with medicine
• Exercises that help strengthen the pelvic muscles
• Surgery is often advised when other treatment options do not seem to be working

Tips on Managing Urinary Incontinence at Home

Introducing a few simple changes can help older adults manage their incontinence issues more effectively. Here are some suggestions.

Pelvic muscle exercises – Special exercises may help strengthen the muscles that control urination. This can significantly reduce and even eliminate incontinence.

Bladder training – Going to the bathroom on a predetermined timetable at, let’s say, every two hours can help older adults prevent involuntary leakage.

Fluid and diet management – Seniors should refrain from food and drinks known to irritate the bladder. Before making any dietary changes, aging adults should also make sure to discuss with their doctor.

Behavioural changes – Older adults can also improve incontinence by quitting alcohol and tobacco, avoiding beverages with high levels of caffeine. Also refrain from strenuous activities such as lifting objects that are too heavy.

The Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC, is Comfort Keepers®

Many families prefer Comfort Keepers® when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver, British Columbia. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. Comfort Keepers Vancouver also provides home care services like respite care, overnight care, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Companion Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Comfort Keeper’s philosophy is to elevate the human spirit, and our caregivers ensure your loved one experiences a better quality of life.

Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with personal home care to help maintain the highest possible quality of life, keeping them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ delivers a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Bring The Best Home Care Assistance for Seniors Right Where You Live with Comfort Keepers®

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide elder care in homes throughout Vancouver, keeping seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond. Please call (604) 689-8609. 

Personal Care and Senior Homecare in Vancouver, BC

Learn more about our unique service, which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers® Vancouver office.

Accredited and Quality Respite Care Available 24/7 for British Columbia Families

Accreditation Canada has awarded Comfort Keepers® Vancouver with Exemplary Standing. This designation is only achieved after an organization’s policies, procedures, and processes undergo a thorough evaluation by industry experts to ensure they meet or exceed the stringent quality standards set by Accreditation Canada for Home Care companies.

Share This Post: