Through Harry's Home Care, qualified professionals offer both medical and daily living services for those who need help living at home. Harry's Home Care provides a variety of supports, including assistance with toileting and continence.
Although inconvenient and often embarrassing, incontinence is a common challenge among older individuals and those with certain medical issues. A caregiver must deal not only with the practical implications of the issue, but also the emotional. It is important for the caregiver to be calm, relaxed, and understanding about the situation, even when the inevitable accidents happen, so that the patient does not feel ashamed.
Another part of the caregiver's role is to help the person avoid accidents and messes whenever possible. A schedule for toileting can often help, particularly if it is informed by an understanding of how often and when the person tends to urinate or defecate. Such a schedule can also help the person to practice bladder control.
Many people also benefit from pelvic floor exercises, which help to strengthen the muscles responsible for controlling urine. Caregivers can help patients to find these muscles by asking them to stop the flow of urine in the middle of the stream. Then, once the patient is off the toilet, he or she can work these muscles by tightening and relaxing them.
Meanwhile, individuals who are incontinent may feel better wearing protective pads and being close to a toilet whenever possible. For some people, this may mean keeping a portable commode in the bedroom, so that sudden urges can be addressed immediately.
