Dementia and incontinence Causes and management

Dementia and incontinence Causes and management

Dementia and incontinence: Causes and management Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe At which stage of dementia does incontinence start Medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M.D., CAQ, FAAFP — By Jenna Fletcher on August 9, 2022Incontinence can occur in the middle and late stages of dementia. Doctors generally define incontinence as the inability or limited ability to control when the body releases urine or stool. It can range in severity from occasional leakage to the full loss of control of these functions. Dementia refers to the decline of cognitive function. Although there are various kinds of dementia, the most common is Alzheimer’s disease. People with dementia can develop either urinary or fecal incontinence as their disease progresses. This article reviews incontinence in dementia, its causes, and ways to help manage the condition. At what stage of dementia does incontinence occur Share on PinterestRidofranz/Getty ImagesDementia, such as Alzheimer’s, is a progressive disease. This means that the symptoms worsen as the condition progresses. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, a person with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia will not typically develop urinary or fecal incontinence until they reach the mid to late stages of the condition. A 2021 study states that urinary symptoms, such as urinary incontinence, affect more than 50% of people with dementia. Causes of incontinence with dementia Several potential issues can lead to incontinence in people with dementia. Cognitive decline can cause an inability to recognize when a person needs to use the bathroom. In some cases, individuals may not remember or know where the bathroom is. When someone with dementia starts to lose control of when they urinate or defecate, caregivers can take steps to determine possible causes. In some cases, knowing the cause may help the caregiver better address the incontinence. Some possible causes include: Medications Anxiety medications and sleeping pills can relax the bladder. Medical conditions A person with dementia may have trouble communicating when they have symptoms of a medical condition that may lead to incontinence. Some examples include:diabetesurinary tract infectionsParkinson’s disease or other muscular disorderprostate issuesconstipationstrokea physical disability that makes reaching the bathroom more difficult Dehydration Dehydration occurs when a person does not consume enough fluids. It can lead to a urinary tract infection, which can cause incontinence. It is important to remember that drinks, such as cola, coffee, and tea, are diuretics. These increase the amount of urine the body produces and can also lead to incontinence. Environmental obstacles In some cases, environmental obstacles may lead to urinary or fecal accidents. Caregivers should ensure that:the person with dementia is wearing clothes that are easy to remove and put onthe bathrooms are easy to locate and identifythey remove obstacles between the person with dementia and the bathroom Tips for managing and reducing accidents A caregiver can take several steps to help reduce the number of accidents that occur. These may not be effective for everyone, but they can provide a suitable starting point for people looking to reduce the effects of incontinence on someone with dementia. Demonstrate understanding Urinary or fecal accidents may cause embarrassment. Caregivers may find it beneficial to adopt an understanding demeanor. Some things to try can include:providing as much privacy as possiblespeaking about the accident in a matter-of-fact way and making sure to never make the person feel guiltysaying statements that show understanding and acceptance, such as, “anyone may have an accident.” Make the toilet accessible As a person’s dementia progresses, it may become harder for them to remember where the toilet is. They may also have difficulties getting to the bathroom in time to use it. Some steps that may help someone with dementia get to the bathroom in time include:removing potential hazards and obstacles that may be in the wayplacing a portable toilet in the bedroom or making sure to light the bathroom at nightinstalling safety features, such as a high seat or safety bars It may also be beneficial to put a picture of a toilet on the bathroom door. Caregivers should use a bright, contrasting color to paint the door or keep the door to the bathroom open. Practice communication Communication is not always verbal. A caregiver can encourage the person with dementia to tell them they need to use the bathroom, but they may want to look for signs such as:listening for buzzwords that may indicate they need to gowatching for fidgeting, faces, or other indicators they need to goencouraging regular bathroom breaks with verbal reminders Plan ahead Paying attention to a person with dementia can help when it comes to reducing incontinence. Caregivers can try:observing and trying to understand the person’s routine toilet schedulereminding them to use the toilet before they would usually goimplementing a regular toilet scheduleidentifying when the accidents occur and helping the person go to the toilet regularly They should then try:checking if they have used the toilethelping the person wipe and flushwashing the sensitive skin areas Additional tips A caregiver help manage incontinence by:considering using continence products, such as adult briefs or a continence sheath, which fits over the penis and attaches to a leg bagrunning the tap or providing water if a person has difficulty urinatingusing waterproof mattress covers or bed pads Maintaining bladder and bowel health A caregiver can help a person with dementia maintain bladder and bowel health with lifestyle changes. Some things they can do that may help include:providing plenty of fiber in the dietencouraging drinking 6–8 glasses of water each dayproviding a nutritious diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, limited fats, and lean proteinsavoiding caffeinated, carbonated, or alcoholic drinks If a person is able to do so, keeping active and walking each day can help regulate bowel movements. Summary Dementia can lead to incontinence in the mid to late stages of the condition. A person may develop incontinence for several reasons, including declining cognitive function, medications, and environmental obstacles that prevent them from finding or reaching the bathroom in time. A caregiver can help a person with dementia manage incontinence by being understanding, practicing communication, making the toilet accessible, and planning ahead. It can also help by encouraging the consumption of fluids and a nutritious diet. They can also encourage them to stay physically active. Last medically reviewed on August 9, 2022Urinary Tract InfectionAlzheimer's / DementiaSeniors / AgingUrology / Nephrology 5 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Alzheimer's disease and incontinence. (n.d.). https://www.bladderandbowel.org/associated-illness/alzheimers-and-incontinence/Incontinence. (n.d.). https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/incontinenceJuliebø-Jones, P., et al. (2021). Understanding the impact of urinary incontinence in persons with dementia: Development of an interdisciplinary service model. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8238624/Maintaining a healthy bladder and bowels. (2021). https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/healthy-bladder-bowels-tipsWhat is dementia? Symptoms, types, and diagnosis. (2021).https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-is-dementiaFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M.D., CAQ, FAAFP — By Jenna Fletcher on August 9, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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