Taking care of an aging parent or loved one who recently had a stroke can be a life-changing event. While the side effects of a stroke can range from physical to emotional, one symptom that’s often not discussed is the issue of incontinence. While helping a loved one with incontinence-related issues may seem overwhelming, with the right support and guidance, you can safely provide stroke care while promoting dignity and as much independence as possible.
Seek Professional Help
First, it’s very important to seek professional medical advice for a family member with an incontinence issue. A doctor should perform a number of tests and subsequently develop a comprehensive treatment plan to address incontinence. These tests will be able to determine the severity and intensity of incontinence so the doctor can recommend appropriate therapies, treatments, and medications to address the situation.
If your loved one needs help managing incontinence or another health concern, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality at-home care. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
Control Portions & Follow a Balanced Diet
Secondly, for those who are caregivers for aging loved ones with incontinence, providing a well-structured, balanced, and healthy diet and limiting portions throughout the day can control the issue. By regulating food intake, quality, and type, caregivers can make sure their loved ones’ bowel movements are relatively consistent. Healthy eating habits will likely also go hand in hand with recommendations from doctors with regard to reducing the risk of a secondary stroke.
Purchase Incontinence Products
There are a variety of products on the market that caregivers can purchase for loved ones with incontinence. Some products include different types of bed liners, pads, and other accessories that make cleanliness a top priority. Caregivers should also look into purchasing products that can be used in conjunction with clothing, such as adult diapers and discharge devices.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Reston, live-in care is available around the clock if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Perform Pelvic Exercises
Caregivers should also help their incontinent family members perform daily low-impact pelvic exercises. This will strengthen pelvic and other lower body muscles that play an integral role in urination and bowel control.
Older adults living with incontinence or other age-related issues can benefit from professional in-home care. The type of home care Reston seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors. If your loved one needs assistance with the challenges of aging, reach out to one of our knowledgeable, compassionate Care Specialists today.
