5 Ways to Deal With the Emotional Side of Incontinence

Having incontinence can be emotionally draining. However there are tactics to help both caregivers and those dealing with incontinence alike.

How to deal with the emotional side of incontinence.

If you are a caregiver of an elderly loved one who is suffering from incontinence, you may find that the emotional side of incontinence is far more difficult then even the physical. Both caregivers and the senior in their life may find it difficult to face up to the managing of an incontinence problem. However, it is important that both caregivers and seniors do this. Here is what you need to know about dealing with the emotional side of incontinence:

1. Caregivers should be an advocate, not an adversary-Many times when intimate and private matters must come to light; caregivers often find themselves thrust into the role of adversary. Rather then take a confrontational role, caregivers should reassure the senior that they are there to help, find solutions, and provide support. This can go a long way toward easing the emotions that can erupt when dealing with this issue.
   
2. Caregivers should be straightforward and honest-If you are the caregiver for a senior with incontinence; you need to approach the issue as a medical problem, (which it is). Avoid being vague, using euphemisms, or other tactics, that keep you from discussing the real issue. Once the senior in your care understands that you are approaching this as a medical problem, they will feel a lot more comfortable addressing it with you.
   
3. Caregivers should use positivity and humor-While incontinence can be difficult and embarrassing, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be treated, managed, or even eliminated. The senior in your care doesn’t want to be a burden and may even feel ashamed that incontinence has become an issue. Letting your elderly loved one know that there is help available, can go a long way toward making the situation a lot easier to manage. Obviously while your humor should never be derogatory toward the situation, injecting some into the situation can make everyone feel more at ease.
   
4. Caregivers should understand that not speaking up will have consequences-The bottom line is that incontinence rarely goes away on its own. Leaving the situation alone may be far worse then facing it and speaking with the senior in your life. Beyond the ramifications of the mess and inconvenience, untreated incontinence could affect your loved one's health. In addition, due to the fact that many times incontinence is brought on by another medical condition, it is always better to discuss it and have an evaluation by a health care professional.
   
5. Caregivers should realize that here is support-Not to long ago, it was practically taboo to speak of a problem like incontinence. Today, there are many support groups for caregivers dealing with this problem, and the seniors who are affected. If attending a support group in person is not possible there are several online options that can provide support, as well.

                               What the video:  How to choose the right incontinence product

For further help and information on this topic please check out http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/landing/incontinence. You can also find information about products to help you manage incontinence at http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/incontinence-product-finder or http://caregiverpartnership.com/landing/samples.

Call us. We are here to help.

The Caregiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their care giving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The Caregiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wis. Visit http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.