Continence Care Management: What a Family Caregiver Needs to Know

1. Part II: Tips For Managing Incontinence
Continence Care Management: What A Family Caregiver Needs to Know
From The National Association For Continence

2. Diet and Lifestyle Factors
• Consume six 8oz. glasses of fluid a day
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners
• Don’t smoke because tobacco is irritating to the bladder surface
and contributes to bladder cancer
• Include enough fiber and fluid to keep bowels regular and
movements easy
– Too little fluid  constipation
– A 24 hour review of fluid intake can help pinpoint any problems that
need to be modified
• To encourage regular bowel movements:
– Begin with 1-2 tbs. of the recipe a day and increase to 4-6 tbs. Serve
with water or fruit juice:
• One cup applesauce
• One cup unprocessed bran
• ¼ cup of prune juice

3. Safe Toileting
• Keep a bladder diary
• Reduce the risk of falling
– Reduce environmental factors (like loose rugs etc.)
– Keep a walker or cane to aid near the bed
– Turn on lights at night
– Increase lower body strength
– Improve balance
• Practice safe toileting:
• Allow time to reach to toilet
• Limit evening fluids
• Use a bedside commode or urinal
• Wear clothes that are easy to take off or unzip
• Stay on the toilet until the bladder is empty

4. Product Choice
• Choose product according to:
– Physical functionality
– Incontinence severity
• Different types of products include:
– Adult briefs
– Undergarments
– Protective underwear
– Shields, guards, pads, liners, catheters
• Select appropriate size (i.e. small, medium, large),
based on waist and hip circumferences

5. Product Choice
• Look for products with re-closeable fasteners
that will adhere to any part of the disposable
garment
• A higher-priced superior performing product =
lower overall cost than a less expensive
inferior product that requires more frequent
changes or leaks onto bed linens and clothing
• Breathability helps with comfort and skin
integrity, avoiding rashes and infections

6. Thank you!