Family caregivers play an important role in recognizing and addressing incontinence in their loved ones. They should educate themselves about the symptoms, severity, and potential causes of incontinence. It is important for caregivers to discuss toileting needs openly with patients and ask simple questions to understand their situation better. Proper care involves assessing continence status, documenting any changes, and screening for physical functionality, incontinence severity, and degree of assistance needed with toileting.
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Family Caregiver Part I: Tips for Recognizing, Discussing, And Caring For A Loved One
1. Part I: Tips For Recognizing, Discussing, And
Caring For A Loved One
Continence Care Management: What A Family Caregiver Needs to Know
From The National Association For Continence
2. Role as Family Caregiver
• Support your loved one and
assure them of the importance
of seeking a healthcare provider
for recommendations
• Educate yourself about options,
resources, and opportunities
• Understand the etiology (source
and factors) of the symptoms
• Express your willingness to be
proactive
• Bring up other topics such as
diet adjustment, physical
activity etc.
3. Recognizing
• It is important for family caregivers to recognize the
importance of addressing continence care.
• As family caregiver should educate themselves to
recognize the symptoms and severity of incontinence
toileting, needs, limitations, and absorbent product
requirements.
• Transitioning into the role of a family caregiver can be a
difficult one, especially when incontinence is involved.
• Being a caregiver can present its own unique
challenges, addressing some concerns and asking
simple questions can give you a better understanding
of the patients situation
4. Medical Conditions
That Contribute to Incontinence
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Arthritis
• Central Nervous Disorders
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Insomnia
• Obesity
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Urinary Tract Infections
5. Discussing
Asking some simple questions can also give you a clear
understanding:
• Do you ever have difficulty making it to the bathroom
on time?
• Do you need to urinate more than every two hours or
more than eight times a day?
• Do you need to get up more than once a night to
urinate? How often, if ever, do you reach the toilet in
time?
• Do you ever need to wear a pad or something to
protect your clothes from leakage?
6. Caring
• Care for your loved one according to their
specific case
• Continence status should be assessed and any
change should be documented
• Screening includes:
- Physical functionality
- Incontinence severity
- Degree of assistance
needed with toileting