Three Things You Need to Know About Senior Incontinence

Bladder incontinence, or the accidental emission of urine during inopportune times, can be an embarrassing problem that other manchester home care service providers are reluctant to talk about. However, understanding the "what," "why," and "how can I help?" can be crucial to preventing long-term illnesses or conditions that can stem from issues of incontinence. If you are providing home care to someone suffering from incontinence, the following are three things that you need to know to better help the person you are caring for.

It happens for many reasons. There is not a single standard cause of bladder incontinence, and in most cases issues of incontinence stem from a wide range of factors. Some of the most common reasons for incontinence include:

• Weak bladder muscles as a result of older age.
• Overactive bladder muscles stemming from an underlying condition such as a urinary tract infection.
• Blockages from an enlarged prostate in males.
• Diseases that limit movement like arthritis or osteoporosis that make it difficult to get to the bathroom before an accident.
• Underlying neurological damage to the areas of the brain responsible for controlling urination.

Keep in mind that these factors may work in conjunction to cause incontinence, especially in males. Men often see issues of incontinence begin after being diagnosed with a prostate condition, and other contributing factors can be put into place from there.

There are multiple types of incontinence. Manchester home care workers need to know that treatments for incontinence should be contingent upon the type of incontinence that is present. The following are three of the most common types of incontinence that Manchester home care professionals report:

• Stress incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when sudden movements (like sneeze or jerk) puts pressure on the bladder, causing leakage. This type of incontinence is most common amongst women who are undergoing menopause.
• Urge incontinence. Urge incontinence occurs when a person has the sudden need to urinate and cannot make it to the bathroom in time. This is a common type of incontinence for those who are living with an illness that affects the brain like Alzheimer's Disease or dementia.
• Overflow incontinence. Overflow incontinence occurs when small amounts of urine leak from a bladder that is continuously full. It is a common issue for men with enlarged prostates or those who have recently suffered a spinal cord injury.

Caregivers can help. If your loved one suffers from incontinence issues, know that you are not alone. Manchester home care services like Visiting Angels can help your loved one manage symptoms of incontinence and ensure that he or she remains clean in their home. Remember that many older adults deal with incontinence, and there is hope for your loved one.