Many people with Alzheimer’s or dementia have incontinence. And that can make day-to-day life extra tricky.
To make life easier for you and more comfortable for your older adult, we want to share our top solutions to 7 common questions about managing Alzheimer’s and incontinence.
1. How should I talk about incontinence or leaks without upsetting them?
The most important thing is to be calm, be understanding, and not draw unnecessary attention to the issue.
For example, if they have an accident or leak, you could say something like:
It looks like your pants are wet; sometimes that happens.
It looks like you may have spilled something on your pants, let’s get some clean clothes.
An accident can happen to anyone.
2. What’s the best way to introduce incontinence products?
Generally, it’s best to introduce a pull-up style adult diaper as padded or disposable underwear. The pull-up design feels like regular underwear.
It’s also best to avoid using the words “diaper” or “incontinence,” which can be confusing. Instead, use words like leaks or spills. And for diaper, say pull-up underwear or brief.
The exception to this rule is if your older adult calls them diapers. If they’re using the term “diapers,” you should too. Take the cue from them. Otherwise, it can cause additional shame or embarrassment.
If you’re facing resistance, explain that the absorbent underwear provides protection just in case they don’t make it to the bathroom in time.
In some instances, your older adult may not notice the difference between underwear and an absorbent pull-up style. If this is a possibility, you may not want to say anything at all and try replacing the regular underwear in their drawer with absorbent pull-on styles.
3. How do I choose the best incontinence products?
Certain companies offer free samples of incontinence products so you can easily find the size and absorbency that works best for your older adult.
Taking advantage of these samples saves money and will likely improve the product’s protection and comfort.
Some companies also offer the chance to talk to a kind, caring advocate who can provide expert recommendations regarding the best free sample for your older adult.
4. How can I help my older adult get to the bathroom in time, particularly at night?
It’s important to make the path to the bathroom as short as possible and clear of obstacles to avoid nighttime falls.
Making it as easy as possible to find and use the toilet increases the chances that your older adult will avoid an accident.
Simple changes can make a big difference. For example, try leaving the bathroom door open, installing a light-up toilet seat and creating a path with duct tape and/or nightlights leading to the bathroom.
In some cases, you may also want to place a bed pad (also called underpads or Chux) in the bed in case they sleep through the urge to go.
5. My older adult is leaking in the bed at night, waking both of us. What should I do?
Night may be the most challenging time to keep your older adult dry. The good news is that super absorbent products exist.
MegaMax™ briefs by NorthShore™ are one of the most absorbent on the market. You can also place booster pads inside the absorbent underwear for extra coverage.
In addition, use a waterproof mattress protector under the sheets and layer absorbent washable or disposable bed pads (often referred to as underpads) over sheets to minimize bedding changes.
It may seem like overkill, but you won’t regret being overprepared if it means a better night’s sleep and less laundry in the morning.
In case of a leak, keep necessary products by the bed like wipes, skincare products, absorbent underwear, a change of clothes, and disposal bags. That way, you won’t have to search for them in the middle of the night.
6. What if they won’t keep their absorbent underwear on?
If your older adult is trying to take off their absorbent underwear, consider an adult bodysuit with snaps or waterproof underwear covers.
Both types of garments make it more challenging to remove absorbent briefs and the underwear covers provide an added layer of leak protection.
Some absorbent briefs have stronger adhesive tape than others. To help keep the underwear in place, avoid buying briefs with hook and loop fasteners which are easier to remove.
It’s also a possibility that they’re trying to remove the briefs because they’re wet and/or uncomfortable. It may help to sample different brands to see if that improves their comfort and dryness.
7. What should I do if they refuse to change their absorbent underwear?
If your older adult consistently refuses to change their absorbent underwear, you could try a super absorbent brief that provides all-day protection or add booster pads to their absorbent underwear for an extra layer of protection.
In any case, make sure to protect their skin with a moisture barrier or rash cream to prevent irritation.
If you sense that there’s been a bowel movement, encourage a trip to the restroom to see if a change is necessary.
Tired of nighttime changes? Our exclusive NorthShore™ brand of adult incontinence supplies provides a stronger alternative to store brands with extra absorbency and coverage along with expert advice available 7 days a week. Free samples available upon request. Try NorthShore™, the brand caregivers trust! Fore more caregiving tips, see our content section for caregivers.
In business since 2002, NorthShore’s mission is to improve the quality of life of those dealing with incontinence via caring, individualized service and discreet delivery of unique, life changing products.
This article is sponsored by NorthShore™. For more information, see How We Make Money.
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