"I am incontinent."
When people discuss the things that scare them about aging, the idea of not having control over one's bladder is typically among the pack. We imagine that when we get to that point, our life may not be worth living.
Of course, that's not the case. But if your parent is struggling with bladder control they might be embarrassed to talk about it. Here's a few ways to help them if you suspect incontinence is an issue.
1. Bring it up - If you notice it might be an issue, pick a time when you can sit down privately to discuss the matter. Opening the door to discussing the problem can be a great way to let them know it is a normal problem for many people.
2. Offer solutions - Once you've discussed it with your parent, try to figure out how you can help them manage their incontinence. This might require you to do a little research on your own. What products are available that could help your parent? What is the cost of incontinence aids? There can be a lot of variables. It is important not to make any assumptions.
3. Suggest a doctor visit - It can be very difficult to convince a parent to go to the doctor, especially over something that can be seen as embarrassing, such as incontinence. But it is wise to suggest it because incontinence can be a sign of a more serious health problem. It also can be treatable in some cases.
Incontinence can affect people at all ages for many different reasons. And people live very normal, active lives despite the condition. If you suspect your parent is incontinent, it can be a tough topic to bring up. But it is important to do so so that your parent can enjoy a full and active life.
Please click here to read the complete article published by The Huffington Post, 16 November 2015