Dementia is defined as a loss of cognitive ability and memory loss that often occurs in the elderly and describes a number of types of memory loss. Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia. Dementia involves not only memory loss, but difficulty communicating. Incontinence is the inability to control urine or feces evacuation, which may be associated with dementia or a completely different cause or condition. Caregivers offering support to someone diagnosed with dementia and incontinence at the same time is challenging, but can be dealt with education and resources.
Effects of Dementia
Dementia includes symptoms such as memory loss, behavior or personality changes, inappropriate behaviors to hallucinations and paranoia, according to the Mayo Clinic. Alzheimer's disease is the most common and well known type of dementia, an unstoppable decline in cognitive abilities that eventually affects physical care and function, including ability to control bladder and bowel movements.
Incontinence Basics
Incontinence is defined as the inability to control either bladder or bowel movements, sometimes both. Urinary incontinence can be caused by any disorder that disrupts nerve control, which dementia may do, as well as brain injury, weak bladder muscles and/or weak pelvis floor muscles, according to the Urology Channel. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, twice as many elderly women experience urinary incontinence than men, and that nearly 50 percent of individuals in nursing homes experience some form of incontinence.
Incontinence Exercises
Exercises that help control urine flow may also be known as bladder training. FamilyDoctor.org states there are several types of urinary incontinence and that bladder training may help increase the span of time between trips to the bathroom, help strengthen pelvic floor muscles and help exert control over need to urinate.
For dementia patients, it may be necessary to repeat instructions for engaging in pelvic floor exercises such as Kegels repeatedly. Caregivers should be encouraged to take the individual to the bathroom at certain and regular times of the day to encourage evacuation into a toilet rather than an adult brief. Bladder training exercises take time, and it may be several months before you notice a difference, but sticking to a schedule will help.
Managing Incontinence
Limit the amount of alcohol or caffeine that a person diagnosed with either dementia or urinary incontinence consume to help reduce bladder irritation. Adjust the diet to restrict spicy or acidic foods that may also cause bladder irritation. Medications may be offered for those with very limited cognitive ability or memory, such as Gelnique or Enablex, according to Drugs.com.
Long Term Goals
Reducing accidents and causing emotional distress for the patient is the ultimate goal of managing incontinence in the elderly, as is reducing chance of urinary tract or bladder infections. Striving for greater independence while retaining dignity issues should be the goal of all caregivers when dealing with patients diagnosed with incontinence and dementia.
