Causes And Types Of Incontinence In Seniors

A trip to the bathroom, for many individuals, is something that can be put off, at least for a little while. But it's not that simple for those who experience bladder leakage daily. In fact, incontinence affects approximately 33 million people in America.

One problem you may be encountering, if you care for an aging loved one, is that of incontinence in seniors. They may not have to live with or accept incontinence, however. Regardless of its cause, there may be a way to deal with incontinence in your aging loved one. Make sure you speak to their physician regarding treatment.

If a person is aging, is it normal to experience incontinence? Though more common in retirement age adults, it can happen to anyone.

Here, we are going to look at some types of incontinence and what the cause of it may be.

What Is Incontinence?

For those unaware, involuntary loss of urine is referred to as urinary incontinence. It can take on several forms in retirement age individuals:

• A complete lack of both bowel and bladder control.
• A constant urine dribble.
• Occasional urine leakage.

Incontinence Causes

Why, in older adults, might urinary incontinence be occurring? The cause for urinary incontinence can depend on a number of things like health conditions, childbirth, how much water a person is drinking, etc.

In both men and women, urinary incontinence can be caused by the following health issues:

• Obesity
• Constipation
• Parkinson's disease
• Stroke
• Alzheimer's disease
• Multiple sclerosis

For women, this can further include the following:

• Pelvic floor atrophy
• Menopause onset
• Childbirth
• Prior pregnancies

Incontinence Types

When it comes to urinary incontinence, there are six common types:

• Functional – Disabilities cause this type of incontinence. Namely arthritis, stroke complications, and neurological disorders. An accident occurs because the person in question can't unzip or lower their clothing fast enough. A trip to the bathroom can't necessarily be carried out or planned when these people feel the urge to urinate.
• Overflow – The problem here is that small amounts of urine may be leaked, and the person may always feel the need to go because their bladder never truly empties. This could be caused by weak bladder contractions, or a urinary tract system obstruction.
• Stress – This occurs when the closing pressure of the bladder is overcome by an increase in abdominal pressure. For example, when you lift objects, climb stairs, laugh, sneeze, or cough, you may feel abdominal pain. Due to childbirth and pregnancy, this is more common in women. Males who have experienced prostate surgery or cancer may also be affected.
• Complete/total – This results in uncontrollable and constant bladder leakage because the sphincter muscle is no longer functional.
• Mixed – More than one type of incontinence combines here. Frequently, there's a combination of urge and stress incontinence. Functional and urge incontinence can be a problem for those who have had strokes, or those with neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease, or severe dementia.

At Discovery Village At The Forum, Your Loved One Will Receive the Best Care

For those residing at Discovery Village At The Forum, top-notch care is provided by our highly skilled and educated care team. From daily living activities to assistance in dealing with incontinence and more, our care team is proficient, caring, and ready to help your loved one.

In a resort-style setting, we provide energetic senior living. We offer your loved ones a retirement community that will help them embark on a new era of opportunity. With a wealth of recreational and social activities, your loved one will never be lacking.

To get all your questions answered and see for yourself all we have to offer, please schedule a tour. We look forward to showing you around.