Managing Incontinence and Maintaining Hygiene

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Managing Incontinence and Maintaining Hygiene
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Age may cause us to slow down and to take things
easy, meaning that regular exercising of muscles
doesnt happen as a matter of course. Muscle
deterioration can make easy-to-do tasks become
more of a challenge. Elderly people may also
develop bladder problems which, teamed with a
change in dexterity and mobility, may make
visiting the toilet a slower task. About one in
four elderly people experience bladder weakness
and one in ten bowel incontinence. Onset of
Incontinence Incontinence can appear slowly as a
result of a variety of factors-
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• incontinence is quite often a result of the
  weakening of the pelvic muscles but is not a
  topic which is freely discussed, owing to shame
  and embarrassment. Regular exercises targeted
  towards the pelvic muscles can help lessen the
  condition
• a urinary tract infection can often be the cause
  of incontinence and this is easily treatable
  with medication some medications for other
  conditions can cause incontinence as a side
  effect, so changing that medication to a
  different one should correct the temporary
  inconvenience
• onset of incontinence can also be as a result of
  several medical conditions (irritable bowel
  syndrome, MS (multiple sclerosis), constipation
  and prolapse), so always make your local doctor
  the first point of call, to establish individual
  needs
• incontinence can also develop in the later stages
  of dementia and Alzheimers disease.
• Certain lifestyles can cause / exacerbate
  incontinence-

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• smoking constant coughing can weaken the pelvic
  floor
• muscles
• lifting moderate to heavy lifting (e.g. lifting
  shopping and carrying children) can also weaken
  the pelvic floor muscles
• being overweight fatty tissue pressing against
  the bladder can give rise to incontinence
• constipation straining to go can also weaken
  the pelvic floor muscles and can worsen urinary
  incontinence
• too much caffeine caffeine is present in tea,
  coffee, hot chocolate, fizzy drinks, green tea,
  energy drinks, caffeine irritating the bladder
  and so worsening urinary incontinence.
• Whilst caffeine should be avoided, or at least
  reduced, an elderly person needs to drink
  between 1 1/2 and 2 litres (2 ½ to 3 ½ pints) of
  liquid per day, to stay both healthy and hydrated
  and should not drink less to hide / manage the
  inconvenience or embarrassment of incontinence.
• Special Equipment Available to Manage
  Incontinence
• - Daytime
• Incontinence Pads and Pants
• Incontinence pads are constructed using the same
  technology as that for babies nappies, the
  hydrophobic layer drawing urine

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c ustomerservice_at_essentialaids.com away from
the surface of the pad, allowing the users
skin to stay dry. Disposable incontinence pants
(sometimes referred to as adult pull ups) come
in a range of different sizes and are also
available in male and female designs. Ideal for
those with more active lifestyles, they offer
different levels of absorbency and can be used
for both urinary and bowel incontinence. An
inbuilt back sheet in disposable pants allows a
through flow of air, allowing the skin to
breathe. When searching for the best incontinence
pads or appropriate underwear, always check what
the product provides, as the cheaper products
may prove more costly in time taken on more
frequent changes. Products can be disposable or
washable, so always check which will be most
cost effective for the temporary or long-term
needs of the individual, as well as which proves
to be most suitable / comfortable. Shop for
incontinence pads which will last up to six
hours, so that the wearer will be more
comfortable for longer and less inconvenienced
by constant changing.
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c ustomerservice_at_essentialaids.com Incontinence
pants offer various levels of protection so,
again, check what the product provides and
establish that they will offer the wearer what
he / she needs. Note that a high level of
absorbency helps to neutralise odours. Seat
Protection For people with limited mobility,
getting caught short may happen from time to
time. Incontinence accidents during the day may
also happen, so look towards protecting seats
which the individual uses regularly. Waterproof
(whilst also washable) seat and chair pads will
protect upholstery from incontinence damage,
minimise odour and will keep that favourite
chair going for much longer. Seat and chair pads
are discreet and dont look out of place in the
home environment, posing simply as extra padding
/ cushioning for the user. NB When bladder
incontinence is extreme, the use of a catheter
(a flexible tube used to empty the bladder) may
prove to be the only true option. Inserting and
removing a catheter can only be done by
professional healthcare workers and trained
caregivers.
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- Nighttime Trying to Get a Good Nights
Sleep Whilst it is necessary to drink enough
water to stay hydrated, try to refrain from
drinking too much liquid in the two hours
leading up to bedtime. Remember that alcohol, and
also drinks which contain caffeine, can irritate
the bladder and lead to worsened urinary
incontinence. Our body recognises a need for
sleep. Keeping to a regular routine as to the
time to call an end to the day will indeed help
with quality of sleep. Such a routine may also
prove to lessen any need for sleeping tablets.
Mattress Protection Mattress protection not only
protects damage from incontinence accidents
the mattress from but also keeps the
mattress dry when an elderly person needs bed
baths e.g. due to lack of strength or mobility,
or during periods of weakness through illness.
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Washable Bed Pads Whilst a mattress protector is
a good method of hygiene for all people, a
washable bed pad provides extra padding for
people for whom incontinence has become a
concern. Washable bed pads add a comfortable
layer of highly absorbent thickness which holds
accidents within the washable bed pad itself,
preventing all of the dampness from reaching the
user, the mattress or overall mattress
protector. A washable bed pad holds the liquid
within its fibres and allows the user to sleep
more comfortably and for longer. Washable bed
pads fit all bed sizes i.e. single, double and
king and can be used on top of, as well as
under, the whole bed mattress protector. Look
for washable bed pads which have waterproof
backing, keeping the bed dry underneath the
pad. Before purchasing, decide what level of
absorbency is best for the user. Whilst it might
be commonplace in all households to change bed
linen once a week, the use of washable bed pads
for those with incontinence concerns will help
limit the number of times that the whole bed
linen will need to be changed.
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c ustomerservice_at_essentialaids.com Washable bed
pads can be cleaned in the washing machine
and some types can be tumble dried. Remember to
read the product details before purchasing. Bed
Baths Feeling clean and fresh contributes highly
to the quality of our day. When supporting a
person who is confined to bed with having a bed
bath, line the bed with several layers of
towels, or a washable bed pad, to prevent the
bed becoming damp. This will cut down on the
need to have to change all of the linen on the
bed. Cover the individual with a towel, both for
modesty and for warmth. Reveal only the part of
the body which is being tended to, for the same
reasons. Help the individual roll over, so that
all parts of the body can be accessed. Dry the
person thoroughly and apply moisturiser and / or
powder, for both protecting the skin and for
added comfort.
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c ustomerservice_at_essentialaids.com Washing the
bed pad will be a quicker and more
convenient process than having to change all of
the bed linen (and maybe also washing the whole
bed mattress protector) on the bed. Limit bed
baths to two or three times a week, as the
individuals skin may develop irritable skin or
bed sores, if the skin is damp too
often. Summary If you believe a loved one is
experiencing incontinence, approach this topic
gently with the individual, not only to cope
with incontinence but also to ascertain if the
condition can be cleared via medication. Putting
the individuals mind at rest will make the new
routine easier to manage and complete. If getting
enough sleep is proving difficult, look at
lifestyle changes (e.g. not drinking within two
hours of going to bed, having a regular bedtime
etc.), before opting for sleeping tablets, which
can become addictive. If bowel incontinence needs
to be addressed, adding more fibre to ones diet
(e.g. more fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread
and oatmeal) will help to improve this
inconvenience. Eating more fibre will also
minimise constipation which, in itself, can
weaken muscles and adversely affect incontinence.
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c ustomerservice_at_essentialaids.com Using
washable bed pads and seat pads, and changing
them regularly, will stem any build up of
unpleasant odour within the home. Avoiding
caffeine can go a long way towards handling
incontinence. Presence of bedsores must be
managed, as worsening of this condition (maybe
starting as reddening of the skin and leading on
to deep damage which may expose bone) can prove
fatal. Remember that cheapest isnt necessarily
the best route to take, as product performance
is much more important. Blog an Originally
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