Incontinence Overnight: Four Essential Topics / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

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 hereEpisode 10 - Incontinence Begins hereChild proof door knob cover or double deadbolt locks for external doorsChild proof door knob covers hereExtra tall pet gate from (40” to 70”) - 57”  helpDisposable incontinence underwearFor women hereFor men herePadsMattress pads34”x36” here72”X36” hereDisposable incontinence pads hereBrown large pet pee pads hereMattress bag herePeelaways hereCameras or baby monitor for the bedroom and bathroomBaby monitors - some come with motion alarms hereMotion alarm hereCameras - If your care receiver is still staying home alone, consider one with an intercomRing indoor with two-way talk hereWashable incontinence underwear For womenColors hereCream hereFor men Briefs hereBoxer briefs hereDisposable incontinence underwearFor women hereFor men hereDisposable incontinence underwear guards For men hereFor women hereAdult washcloths/wipes hereDisposable incontinence pads hereRound tipped scissors here Rate, Subscribe and Share Your Tips on Social Media! Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Please click here to review, follow or subscribe to our podcast.   If you don’t see your preferred platform click on Podchaser and click at the bottom “Write my review” You can log in with Twitter, Facebook or GoogleOn the right you’ll see a box with “Follow”, “Rate and Review” and “Share”  Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: [email protected], [email protected]