I care for someone with incontinence
The role of the carer is difficult at the best of times. But when it comes to issues like incontinence, it can become even harder to cope. For one thing, the person you care for might feel embarrassed or ashamed about the issue, and may refuse your help. In fact, incontinence is one of the most common reasons for families to move from home care to a nursing home.
That’s why it is so important to find out all the information you can. The more you understand about the condition, the more able you will be to offer effective support.
Here are some general tips and hints:
- Try to talk openly about incontinence and encourage the person you care for to share their feelings and concerns.
- Reassure the person you care for that incontinence is not a disease, it is not a natural part of ageing, and there are treatments that can help.
- Learn what type of incontinence the person you care for has, and what treatments could be suitable.
- Encourage the person you care for to make an appointment with a healthcare professional to discuss the issue at length.
- Speak to other carers! There are a number of support groups for carers of patients with incontinence, and you may find it useful to share your experiences on an online forum or a face-to-face group.
You can find more information about caring for someone with incontinence here.
References
Caregiver Reference Guide [Internet]. 2018 [cited 3 August 2020]. Available from: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/597f302ed1758e9e17ad4099/t/5b52377f70a6ad64c9ea2400/1532114826902/Caregiver+Reference+Guide+-+NAFC.pdf.
