We often take a good night’s sleep for granted…until it’s no longer possible. And caring for someone with nighttime incontinence is something that can make a good night’s sleep seem elusive.
Leaks, wet sheets, or wet clothes can disturb your older adult’s sleep – and yours too.
To get both of you closer to a full, peaceful night’s sleep, we wanted to share our top 6 tips and tricks to managing nighttime incontinence.
1. Get the best absorbent underwear for the situation (free!)
The first step toward getting a good night’s sleep is finding absorbent underwear that has the right level of absorbency and fit. That makes all the difference between keeping your older adult dry through the night or experiencing leaks.
And did you know that you can find the right absorbent underwear with the right fit for your older adult for FREE?
Certain companies offer free samples of incontinence products so you can easily find the one that works best for your older adult. Taking advantage of these samples saves money and improves leak protection and comfort.
2. Go beyond what you see in the store
If store-bought products aren’t doing the trick, there are other options. You can often find stronger, more absorbent products online.
For example, the MegaMax™ briefs by NorthShore are one of the most absorbent on the market. They’re designed to provide 12-hour overnight protection and can be a game-changer for seniors and caregivers.
3. Boost absorbing power and reduce leaks
To increase the power of absorbent briefs, add booster pads inside for extra coverage.
And in addition to using a waterproof mattress protector under the sheets, layer either washable or disposable waterproof bed pads on the bed at night to avoid middle-of-the-night bedding changes.
Making sure the absorbent underwear stays in place is another way to reduce leaks.
If your older adult tries to take off their absorbent underwear, moves around a lot at night, or is a side sleeper, consider breathable waterproof diaper covers for an extra layer of protection .
4. Be prepared for leaks and bedding changes
Just in case your older adult’s clothes and bedding get wet during the night, preparing ahead of time helps you take care of the mess quickly and get back to sleep sooner.
Make a nighttime incontinence kit by gathering all the incontinence products that you’ll need: absorbent briefs, protective clothing, wipes, extra bed pads, extra sheets, change of clothes, skin care products, and trash bags for disposable products.
Get your kit ready and place it near their bed so you don’t have to hunt for anything in the wee hours of the morning.
5. Consider a bedwetting alarm
A bedwetting alarm can be helpful because it wakes seniors to get up to use the toilet before there’s an accident.
The alarm contains a moisture-detecting sensor that vibrates or sounds when wetness is detected.
6. Remove bathroom obstacles
If your older adult has Alzheimer’s or dementia, they may forget where the toilet is.
Make it easy to find by keeping the bathroom door open and leaving the bathroom light on or placing nightlights along the way.
Adding a light-up toilet seat or creating a path leading to the bathroom with colored duct tape may also help them get to the toilet quickly.
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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