According to WebMD, one-third to one-half of seniors living at home suffer from urinary incontinence. A high percentage of these seniors can attribute their problems to an overactive bladder. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics adds that nearly ten percent of those cases involve moderate to severe incontinence. The bad news for seniors: while incontinence in not a normal or essential part of aging, the American Urology Association notes that problems with and occurrences of incontinence greatly increase with age.
While some causes of an overactive bladder may require medication or even surgery, the most common treatments involve behavioral and environmental changes. There are also a number of physical supports that may be utilized, such as absorbent undergarments. Seniors who remember the absorbent pads and underwear of old may groan at the thought, but with today's absorbency …show more content…
While an overactive bladder can cause an embarrassing urine leak, or rush, anytime, most seniors have their problems at night. In a majority of these cases, retraining the bladder is highly successful. This involves having the senior go to the bathroom on a regular schedule at predefined intervals. Seniors with memory problems or who suffer from cognitive decline will benefit greatly from home care service support, since the timings must be consistent. In addition to the scheduled bathroom breaks, those with nighttime bladder control issues must also get used to reducing or eliminating liquid consumption after the early evening.
While an overactive bladder is common among seniors, it does not have to be an issue that limits the enjoyment of life. In fact, with a few lifestyle modifications and a little support from Comfort Keepers home care services, your loved one should not miss a beat in their active, independent