How to Help Parent with Incontinence

Taking care of a parent may sometimes involve helping them go to the bathroom. Incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine or stool. Bladder muscles tend to weaken with age. Learning more about how to care for an incontinent parent can help you become a better caregiver and improve their quality of life.

Is urinary incontinence common in older adults?

Yes. Urinary incontinence can happen to anyone at any age, but it commonly occurs in older adults and seniors. Urine may leak out when a person laughs, coughs, lifts heavy objects, or during exercise. In other cases, bedwetting in older adults may occur during the night.

Bladder and pelvic muscles weaken with age resulting in an inability to control bladder and bowel functions. Other medical conditions can also lead to incontinence: 

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Constipation
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Menopause
• Multiple sclerosis
• Obesity
• Parkinson’s disease
• Prostate issues
• Stroke

How to support a parent with incontinence?

Helping a parent with incontinence requires patience, compassion, and lifestyle changes. It is recommended to seek medical attention to receive a proper incontinence diagnosis, check for underlying medical conditions and develop an incontinence management plan.

Supporting older adults with incontinence involves learning more about their daily habits, diet, and bathroom patterns. Using incontinence products such as adult diapers, bed underpads, and reusable underwear can help absorb accidental leaks.

How to manage incontinence with lifestyle changes?

Bladder training, scheduling bathroom visits, avoiding certain foods and drinks, and light exercise (i.e. walking, swimming, kegel exercises) can help manage incontinence. 

Type of drinks and foods people with incontinence should avoid

• Coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks
• Alcohol
• Spicy food

How to prevent incontinence associated dermatitis (IAD)?

Helping a parent with incontinence requires maintaining good hygiene to prevent diaper rash, also known as incontinence associated dermatitis. Keeping sensitive areas dry and clean as well as changing incontinence products regularly are important in incontinence management. Avoiding irritants and preventing moisture buildup with bacteria is key to preventing skin irritation and lesions. 

Common symptoms of diaper rash include: 

• itching, 
• burning, 
• redness, 
• tenderness,
• pain. 

How to discuss incontinence with elderly parent?

Older adults living with incontinence may feel embarrassed about their loss of bladder control, which may affect their well-being. Caring for elderly with incontinence requires patience and understanding of their condition. Being supportive and offering help can improve quality of life.

Does health insurance cover incontinence supplies?

Most incontinence supplies are available for purchase out-of-pocket. Coverage varies based on an individual’s insurance benefits. Incontinence supplies are not covered by Medicare. State Medicaid health plans may cover incontinence supplies. To learn more about Medicaid incontinence supply coverage, click on your state below:

San Pablo Commercial is a family-owned, small business with a mission to deliver affordable medical supplies to their customers. We offer a variety of incontinence products including SPC disposable underpads, reusable incontinence underwear, sanitary pads, and more. We care deeply about our customers and want to make ordering incontinence supplies easier so that they can spend less time cleaning up spills and messes.