Providing Senior Care in Oak Park, IL to Patients with Incontinence

When an elderly individual has any type of incontinence, it can be potentially embarrassing for them to be out in public, or even in the presence of their own family. When they are receiving any form of senior care, then it’s important that the caregiver –be it a professional or family member- knows how to prepare for and manage incontinence issues so that they don’t withdraw from life and getting out and about.

First, don’t associate the word incontinence with embarrassment. You should never draw attention to the situation. For some elderly individuals, they no longer have the same bladder control that they did when they were younger. For others, they may not be able to tell when they need to go. They may feel embarrassed, but any time that there is an issue, don’t make a big scene about it and assure them that it’s no big deal.

An experience senior care service provider will tend to understand this aspect and know the proper way to handle these situations. The moment that you draw attention to the situation, though, it can lead to embarrassment.

If the elderly patient has a bedwetting situation, then it’s a good idea to invest in some form of waterproof or absorbent mattress material, or a plastic covering that will make cleaning it up easier and more effective. Bedwetting is one of the more common incontinence issues that elderly individuals deal with, and you can assure them that it’s fine; it’s no big deal, because it isn’t.

Public leakage is possible, even if the individual is wearing an adult diaper. In order to deal with this situation in a positive manner, make sure that whenever you’re planning on being out in public, you have an extra change of clothing for the individual. Don’t draw attention to the situation, but instead lead them to a restroom or bathroom as soon as possible. Have them change into their new, dry clothes, and carry on with your activities as though nothing happened.

If you’re driving a long distance, you may need to assist the elderly individual in changing their adult diaper. If so, find a handicapped stall so that both of you can work together to get them as comfortable as possible as quickly as possible.

Incontinence may seem like an embarrassing word, but when you provide a positive level of senior care to the elderly individual, they will realize that it’s a part of getting older for some and hopefully they will lose the embarrassment as quickly as possible.

For Senior Care Services in Oak Park, IL call 708-761-4909. Serving La Grange, Oakbrook, Oak Brook Terrace, Brookfield, Westchester, Downers Grove, Berwyn, River Forest, Oak Park, Hinsdale, Chicago and surrounding communities.