As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've learned overnight incontinence is one of the most challenging aspects of the journey. It's not a topic often discussed, yet it's a reality for us to face with compassion, dignity, and preparation. We are Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan. Through our experiences, we've developed four important tips to help you navigate overnight incontinence in your caregiving journey.

Takeaways

Overnight incontinence can be particularly challenging because it affects the sleep of both the care receiver and the caregiver.

It often requires a balance between managing a mess and getting necessary rest.

This stage can be an inflection point in the caregiving journey, potentially requiring additional help or considering moving your loved one into a care community.

Here are four tips to help you navigate this challenging phase:

 

Tip 1: Transition to Nighttime and ultimately Disposable Incontinence Underwear

 

It's important to ensure your care receiver has appropriate protection overnight.

 

Tip 2: Protect the Mattress

 

Accidents will happen, so it's important to protect the bed.

 

Tip 3: Make the Bathroom Easy to Find

 

Help your care receiver locate the bathroom easily if they wake up during the night. We cover this in detail in podcast episode 9 Preparing for Incontinence.

 

Tip 4: Keep Your Care Receiver Comfortable Overnight

 

As incontinence progresses, it becomes important to take additional steps to ensure comfort.

Navigating overnight incontinence in Alzheimer's and dementia care is challenging in the beginning as you’re both adapting. With patience, curiosity, compassion, preparation and the right mindset, it can be manageable.

 

Key points:

 

• Transition to appropriate nighttime protection.
• Protect the mattress and be prepared for frequent sheet changes.
• Make the bathroom easy to find.
• Keep your care receiver as comfortable as possible overnight.
• Consider a mid-night change if possible.
• Maintain hydration but manage fluid intake timing.

Blog here

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Episode 4 - Wandering here
• Episode 10 - Incontinence Begins here
• Child proof door knob cover or double deadbolt locks for external doors
• Child proof door knob covers here
• Extra tall pet gate from (40” to 70”) - 57”  help
• Disposable incontinence underwear
• For women here
• For men here
• Pads
• Mattress pads
• 34”x36” here
• 72”X36” here
• Disposable incontinence pads here
• Brown large pet pee pads here
• Mattress bag here
• Peelaways here
• Cameras or baby monitor for the bedroom and bathroom
• Baby monitors - some come with motion alarms here
• Motion alarm here
• Cameras - If your care receiver is still staying home alone, consider one with an intercom
• Ring indoor with two-way talk here
• Washable incontinence underwear 
• For women
• Colors here
• Cream here
• For men 
• Briefs here
• Boxer briefs here
• Disposable incontinence underwear
• For women here
• For men here
• Disposable incontinence underwear guards 
• For men here
• For women here
• Adult washcloths/wipes here
• Disposable incontinence pads here
• Round tipped scissors here

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• Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.com
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• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/
• Email: [email protected], [email protected]