Whether it is a temporary health condition or it becomes permanent as a person advances in age, urinary incontinence is not a pleasant condition. It can lead to a lot of shame and embarrassment. It should not be looked upon as normal because it is not. And it can create a lot of stress to the person that is dealing with it. If you are a caregiver, you should know a few ways to comfort the person in your care. The following tips will allow you to reduce the stress created by incontinence care.
Contact your patient’s healthcare provider
If you notice that the person in your care suffers from incontinence, it would be advisable to have the problem checked by a doctor. A medical check-up will tell how to control the. Also, it is recommended to see a doctor because incontinence can be a sign of other health problems. So doing this will give you both a little peace of mind.
Always leave home prepared for incontinence
Suffering from urinary incontinence doesn’t mean that you have to stay indoors all day long. You can take your client and go out, enjoying your time together, as long as you have a tote bag with everything you need. Pack some pads, briefs, wipes, and a change of clean clothes so that you can handle anything.
Opt for comfortable clothes
You should advise the person to dress in clothes that can be quickly taken off in the case of accidents. If your patient feels the urge to go, then getting off their clothes won’t be an issue. The last thing a person who suffers from this condition needs is the frustration of not being able to get their clothes off in time.
Control some aspects of the diet
You should know that some foods and beverages can make incontinence even worse than it is. Thus, the person in your care should not consume coffee and other beverages that contain caffeine. Spicy foods, chocolate, and too many fresh fruits are also on the blacklist.
Show empathy
Ending up in situations where you can no longer control your body can lead to significant stress and frustrations. Tell them you understand how difficult this must be for them. Be empathetic and patient when it comes to dealing with such episodes. It can reduce the stress and other negative feelings triggered by incontinence. The person you’re carrying for needs to see that he or she enjoys your support.