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Urinary incontinence is common in seniors, and women tend to be more vulnerable. The unique health events like pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause they go through are probably the reason. The urinary tract and the surrounding muscles lose their strength due to these rigors. Unfortunately, women are apprehensive about opening up on the issue. If your aging mom seems uncomfortable with her toilet routine, she may be battling incontinence. But you must do your bit to ensure she does not suffer in silence. Here are some ways to help your aging mom deal with this embarrassing health issue.

Be empathic

Empathy is the best way to help your senior handle the stress of losing control of her bladder. Reassure that she is not alone, and countless women of her age encounter the same problem. Encourage her to open up about the condition and seek medical advice to resolve the problem. The first step is perhaps the most challenging, but it can make life easy for your mom. 

Help create a toilet routine

Your parent may not actually have a major problem with bladder control. Some older women suffer leakage only because they fail to recognize the need to use the toilet. You can help your mom rework her toilet routine to train her bladder to hold for long hours. The best way to do it is by increasing the gap between toilet trips until the patient can skip leakage mishaps with self-control.

Introduce incontinence underwear

Incontinence underwear is an ideal solution to prevent leakage so that the patient can regain confidence about stepping out again. You can buy Zorbies Reusable incontinence underwear for your mom to restore her comfort and self-esteem. The protective product feels like regular underwear, so she need not stress about it being visible or making her uneasy. The best part is that these products are washable and reusable, making them easy on the pocket. 

Manage diet and fluid intake

The severity of urinary incontinence depends on the diet and fluid intake of the patient. You can monitor your mom’s diet to ensure she has less sugar, processed foods, caffeine, and anything that irritates her bladder. Managing the timing and frequency of fluid intake is equally crucial. Check her medication intake and discuss the possibilities of substitutes with her healthcare provider. You can also educate her on doing Kegel exercises to strengthen her pelvic muscles.

Educate on skincare and hygiene

Urinary incontinence is not only about leakage, as the patient may have to deal with skin problems. The moisture on the skin can irritate it, while urinary tract infections and skin breakdown may also happen. Educate your mom about optimal skincare and hygiene with cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting. Keeping the area dry is equally important. You may help her with the skincare and hygiene steps if she cannot manage them on her own.

Helping your aging mom deal with incontinence is crucial because it affects more than her body. She needs support to handle the physical aspects and retain her mental well-being. Your empathy and guidance can cover both fronts. 

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Kori

Digital Product Creator at Kori at Home
Kori is a late diagnosed autistic/ADHD mom. She is currently located in Albany, NY where she is raising a neurodiverse family. Her older daughter is non-speaking autistic (and also has ADHD and Anxiety) and her youngest daughter is HSP/Gifted. A blogger, podcaster, writer, product creator, and coach; Kori shares autism family life- the highs, lows, messy, and real. Kori brings her own life experiences as an autistic woman combined with her adventures in momming to bring you the day-to-day of her life at home. Kori is on a mission to empower moms of autistic children to make informed parenting decisions with confidence and conviction.

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