Caring for someone with incontinence
Incontinence is not just a problem for older people or people with disability. Despite this, people from these two groups are at greater risk of developing bladder or bowel control problems. This is because of poor mobility (ability to get around), memory problems and chronic health problems such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, dementia and multiple sclerosis.
The most important thing to remember when caring for someone with incontinence is that it is not 'normal' or 'inevitable'. Options for preventing, treating, managing and curing incontinence are available, so it is very important to seek professional help sooner rather than later.
Who is a carer?
Carers are usually family members who provide support to children or adults who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged. Carers can be parents, partners, brothers, sisters, friends or children of any age.
Carers may care for a few hours a week, or all day every day. Some carers are eligible for government benefits, while others are employed or have a private income.
Where to seek help
If the person you are caring for is incontinent, the most important step for you to take is to seek professional help. The National Continence Helpline 1800 33 00 66 is a free and confidential service available to anyone living in Australia. The Helpline is staffed by Continence Nurse Advisors, who can provide you with practical information and advice including access to a wide range of information resources or details of a continence clinic located close to the person you are caring for.
Continence assessment
The first step required to effectively manage a person's incontinence is a professional continence assessment. A continence assessment helps identify the type and causes of the problems being experienced by the person and assists the continence advisor to tailor an individula management strategy. There are a number of different types of incontinence. Management of each of these will differ and also take into account the living environment and lifestyle of both caregiver and cared-for person.
What you can do
There are a range of management options available to people with incontinence, which largely depend on the type of incontinence they have and outcomes they hope to achieve. An incontinence management plan will usually consist of several of the following options:
- adequate fluid intake (for example 1500 - 2000mls each day)
- adequate diet (for example a fibre rich diet to prevent constipation)
- a pelvic floor muscle exercise program
- a bladder retraining program
- a toileting program
- medication, and
- continence aids (for example, pads, condom drainage or catheters).
Practical tips whilst waiting for assistance
Bladder problems:
- Find a pad that will keep the person's clothing or bedding dry for about 3 to 6 hours.
- If the problem comes on suddenly, see your doctor to make sure it is not an infection.
- If the person suddenly CANNOT pass urine, see your doctor as this may be a medical emergency.
- Make sure the person is drinking adequate amounts of fluid - 1500 to 2000mls spread evenly throughout the day.
- If the person is constipated, see your doctor about different treatment options, as constipation can impact bladder control.
- Seek professional help on the cause and treatment of the incontinence.
Bowel problems:
- Use a continence pad for comfort and security.
- Use a barrier cream to protect the person's skin (bowel leakage can make skin red and sore very quickly).
- See your doctor if diarrhoea persists for more than 24 hours (the cause of the diarrhoea could be food poisoning, or certain kinds of medicine such as antibiotics).
- Wear disposable gloves (available from supermarkets or chemists) to protect yourself.
- Wash your hands carefully (even if you wear gloves) after you have had any contact with bodily fluids such as urine or faeces.
- If the person is constipated, see your doctor about different treatment options.
Carers and incontinence
Many carers find caring for a person with incontinence to be one of the most difficult aspects of caring. Incontinence can be unpredictable, add dramatically to your workload and be very costly. Many carers report feeling angry, frustrated, lonely, and not coping as they try to manage alone. It is not always easy to care for a person with incontinence, but the right advice and support from a health professional may make it more manageable for you.
Who to contact for information, advice and support
- The National Continence Helpline 1800 33 00 66 - for information and advice about bladder and bowel control problems.
- State or territory Commonwealth Carers Resource Centres 1800 242 636 - for advice and support relating to caring.
- Carers Australia website http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/ - for links to state or territory Carers Associations.
