Caregiver Tips for Toileting and Incontinence

Caregiver Tips for Toileting and Incontinence

With the progression of Alzheimer's disease, your loved one may be experiencing incontinence. Here are a few tips to consider when dealing with incontinence.

• Be mindful of their body language. Behavior is communication.
  • Fidgeting
  • Undressing
  • Pacing
  • Agitated
  • Wandering
• Develop a toileting routine/schedule.
• Identify the restrooms using pictures, signs, or verbiage.
• Use a night light or motion light.
• Remove the restroom door in the bedroom. Closets, entrance, and bathroom doors can cause confusion.
• Use a colored toilet seat. Persons with Alzheimer's disease experience depth perception problems.
• Change the paint color in the bathroom to a contrasting color to help with depth perception.
• Purchase adaptive clothing. Many vendors sell clothing that look like pants and shirts that zip up the back so it is more difficult for the incontinent person with Alzheimer's disease to remove them.
• Use protective bed pads.
• Look for bedside commode or urinal.
• Look for signs/symptoms of infection.
  • Sudden change in incontinence
  • Frequent urination
  • Signs of pain
  • Increased confusion
  • Fever
• Other factors
  • Medication changes
  • Medication times (example of diuretic in the morning instead of at night)
  • Bladder irritants such as coffee, alcohol, spicy foods
  • Changes in hydration patterns

Incontinence can be challenging.

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