Verified by Kiera Powell, R.N. and written by Chad Birt on Thu Aug 26 2021.
Medically Verified
Urinary incontinence affects over 25 million Americans, yet many people avoid seeking help due to embarrassment or fear. Left unaddressed, it can lead to more serious issues like urinary tract infections, skin problems, and even depression.
The good news is that most individuals can effectively manage their symptoms through a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, behavioral techniques, and high-quality incontinence products. If you're a caregiver, we've developed this essential checklist to make managing urinary incontinence easier.
Before you can provide the best care, it's crucial to identify the type of urinary incontinence your loved one is experiencing. There are several common types:
Stress incontinence: This occurs when pressure on the bladder causes involuntary leakage. It's often triggered by activities like laughing, coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects.
Urge incontinence: Characterized by a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary void. This can sometimes be a sign of an infection or an underlying health condition like diabetes.
Overflow incontinence: The bladder doesn't empty completely, leading to frequent, small dribbles of urine throughout the day.
Functional incontinence: This makes it difficult to reach the bathroom in time, often due to a physical impairment. For example, conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can make it challenging to manage clothing quickly.
Mixed incontinence: When your loved one experiences more than one type of urinary incontinence.
As a caregiver, pay close attention to any changes in your loved one's toilet habits and discuss them with their primary care physician. A proper diagnosis is the first step toward effective management.
Many cases of urinary incontinence improve significantly with simple lifestyle changes. If your loved one is mobile, independent, and in good health, these adjustments can make a big difference:
Avoid bladder irritants: As we age, the muscles and nerves around the bladder can weaken. Certain foods and beverages can exacerbate symptoms. Encourage your loved one to limit or avoid coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, spicy foods, citrus, and chocolate.
Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight, particularly in the abdominal area, puts undue pressure on the bladder, often leading to stress incontinence. Even a modest weight loss of 5–10 pounds can significantly reduce bladder pressure and the frequency of accidents.
Review medications: Some medications commonly prescribed for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression can increase the risk of urinary incontinence. This is especially true for diuretics, alpha-blockers, antidepressants, and sleeping pills. If you have concerns, discuss them with their primary care physician.
Behavioral techniques are daily practices that can greatly improve bladder control and overall functioning:
Bladder training: This involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom trips. Encourage your loved one to try and hold off for at least 10 minutes when they feel the urge to urinate, gradually extending the intervals as their pelvic muscles strengthen, potentially reaching two or three hours between breaks.
Kegel exercises: These exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder, rectum, and small intestine. A stronger pelvic floor means fewer involuntary voids.
Scheduled toilet trips: To prevent unexpected accidents, establish a regular schedule for bathroom breaks, perhaps every two to four hours.
Mindful fluid intake: Beverages typically take two to three hours to reach the bladder. Encourage consistent hydration throughout the day, but suggest avoiding drinks at least two hours before bedtime. If your loved one needs to drink while out, help them locate public restrooms using smartphone apps like "Flush" or "Sit or Squat."
Having the right products on hand is vital for effective urinary incontinence care:
Pull-ups: Resemble traditional underwear, made from cloth-like materials for discreet wear.
Reusable diapers: Cloth-based and highly absorbent, these are cost-effective and eco-friendly as they can be washed and reused.
Adult briefs: Offer a snug fit with flexible tabs and a thick, absorbent core to contain liquid and control odors.
Underpads (chux): These sheet-like pads have an absorbent core and waterproof backing, providing an extra layer of protection for furniture and bedding against urine, fecal matter, or wound drainage. They can also assist in repositioning bedridden or bariatric patients.
Booster pads: Designed to provide an additional layer of absorbency for incontinence products like pull-ups or briefs. Their flow-through design and absorbent core are ideal for extending wear time, especially for travel.
Catheters: Hollow tubes made of plastic, rubber, or silicone that help drain urine from the bladder, preventing waste buildup in the renal system and reducing the risk of UTIs and kidney failure.
Wipes: Disposable wipes are essential for quick and easy cleanups. Adult wipes, in particular, often contain moisturizing ingredients like aloe and lotion to protect the skin from irritation caused by urine and fecal matter.
Skin ointments: Many adults with incontinence experience diaper rashes and yeast infections. Ointments such as DermaRite PeriGuard Ointment or Coloplast Baza Antifungal Skin Protectant can relieve discomfort, reduce infection risk, and create a protective skin barrier.
Laundry essentials: If using reusable products, regular laundry is necessary. While most modern detergents handle odors, adding baking soda can boost cleaning power, and white vinegar can remove excess soap, reducing the risk of skin irritation.
Caring for someone with urinary incontinence comes with unique challenges, but these tips can help:
Accidents happen: Be prepared. It's crucial for your loved one to stay hydrated, even if it increases the risk of an accident, especially in warmer months. Always pack a dedicated incontinence bag with essential cleanup items like extra diapers or pull-ups, wipes, and skincare products.
Stay positive and supportive. Urinary incontinence can be embarrassing. Offer understanding and acceptance, reassuring your loved one that you're there to help them stay comfortable, clean, and dry.
Trial and error with products. Every individual's needs are different. It may take some time to find the right combination of products. If you have questions or need assistance, our friendly Care Team is here to help.
Many women with urinary incontinence use products like diapers, booster pads, and underpads. These items can make cleanup easier, but they don’t necessarily allow you or your care recipient to get a restful night’s sleep. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to avoid bedding changes, midnight trips to the bathroom, and irritated skin? The BD PureWick™ Urine Collection System provides all of that and more.
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Read More >Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
