Urinary incontinence is an issue that is sometimes overlooked because it’s so common. But ignoring the problem isn’t a good idea and that doesn’t make the condition go away. It helps a lot for family caregivers to learn as much as possible about these types of health issues. Personal care at home can offer a lot of support to make dealing with incontinence much easier for seniors.

How Common Is Urinary Incontinence?

Aging leads to changes all throughout the body, especially in the urinary tract. Urinary incontinence is surprisingly common, but many people don’t want to talk about it because it’s embarrassing and feels like something that they shouldn’t discuss. But talking about incontinence and learning more about it helps seniors to feel more comfortable, removes stigma, and ensures that aging adults have the care that they need in order to stay healthy.

Underlying Health Conditions Often Contribute to Incontinence

Sometimes urinary incontinence is not caused by physical failure of the urinary tract. There are lots of different health conditions, like diabetes, urinary tract infections, or neurological conditions, that can contribute to incontinence. Identifying the underlying cause and treating it properly can sometimes completely reverse incontinence, which is huge incentive to get to the root of the problem.

Incontinence Impacts Quality of Life

Beyond the physical issues involved in incontinence, there are massive emotional and mental health impacts that effect quality of life. There is of course the embarrassment, but because of that, seniors might start avoiding other people or stop doing the things they love. Understanding these issues can help family caregivers to find solutions that address those concerns.

Lifestyle Modifications Can Help

Lifestyle modifications can sometimes be a helpful solution. Dietary changes, establishing a bathroom schedule, and doing pelvic floor exercises might all make the list. Home care providers can help seniors to stay on target with their individual care plans. They can also help seniors to monitor what’s working and what isn’t so that they can make care plans more effective. Staying in touch with healthcare providers is easier with the help of experienced caregivers, too.

Personal Care at Home Offers Necessary Support

A specific type of elder care called personal care at home may be the right answer for seniors battling incontinence. Personal caregivers can help with toileting, hygiene, and dealing with incontinence products. This type of care offers dignified assistance with specific issues related to incontinence and issues around toileting. Caregivers also offer an additional layer of emotional support. They understand how difficult this situation is and approach care with a great deal of empathy and compassion.

Learning more about incontinence helps families and seniors to establish the right care plan as soon as possible. Even if the incontinence issues are temporary in nature, personal care at home can help seniors to stay as comfortable as possible while having the support that they need in order to stay healthy and happy. This type of care is delicate and can offer tremendous emotional benefits to the seniors receiving care.

If you or an aging loved one are considering personal care at home in La Mesa, CA please contact the caring staff at A Passion for Care today. Call (858) 798-5005

A Passion for Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo, Encinitas, Oceanside, Rancho Santa Fe, Point Loma, and surrounding areas.

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Pat Melzer

Owner at A Passion for Care

Like many people in the senior care business, founder Pat Melzer was motivated by personal experience to start an in-home senior service business in 2010. After watching chronic conditions, dementia, and surgeries take over the life of her once very intelligent and lively mother-in-law, Pat saw the enormity of the need for better in-home care. Drawing on her 23 years of experience in the computer industry as a software product manager, engineering manager and computer programmer, she decided to develop best practices to build an organization that provides truly excellent, personalized care. Throughout the company’s history, Pat has been personally and professionally committed to ensuring your loved one receives the quality care they deserve. With often heroic efforts by the staff and dedicated caregivers, the vision has become a reality to be very proud of.

Making the transition to a completely new industry brought the opportunity to learn and grow, which continues still today. Pat studied Gerontology in San Diego State University’s certificate program and became licensed as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), a Home Health Aide (HHA), and completed the California Certification Program for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCCFE) as a Certified Administrator. She presented workshops at Aging in America Conference four years in a row and served as Chair of the San Diego Regional Home Care Council 2019-2020 and was the education board member for several years. More recently, Pat became a Certified Senior Advisor and was a San Diego Business Journal “50 over 50 2022 Women of Influence Honoree”.

Pat and her husband Roland have lived outside San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley for over three decades. She has two children who are grown professionals and three grandchildren. Pat enjoys traveling to, and visits from, family and friends throughout the year. While at home in San Pasqual Valley, she and Roland enjoy peaceful views and exploring the surrounding valleys.

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