Follow these sensible tips to help you deal with the common challenges of incontinence:

Simplify the situation

• Design a safe and easy path to the bathroom. Move furniture out of the way and remove area rugs that may be a safety hazard. Stairways or cluttered paths can also make it difficult for some people to reach the toilet in time.

• Make the bathroom easy to find. Put nightlights in the hallway and bedroom or leave the bathroom light on during the night. If the person you are caring for is confused, try placing brightly colored arrows on the walls to point the way. You could also place strips of glow-in-the-dark tape on the floor marking the path to the bathroom.

• Straining to get in or out of a chair or bed may put pressure on the bladder. To reduce the strain, a person's feet should touch the floor while sitting on the chair or the edge of the bed. Chairs with sturdy arms above and on either side of the seat can help provide leverage to get in and out more easily. Rocking chairs should also be avoided if the person you care for has difficulty getting out of them. Automatic lift chairs are available that help raise a person from a sitting to a standing position with minimal effort.

• Consider having a man sit down on the toilet to urinate. You will curb accidents that occur due to an inaccurate aim.

• Provide time and privacy in the bathroom so the person you are caring for feels comfortable enough to completely empty the bladder.

• Remove wet clothing immediately after an accident. To cut down on urine odor, rinse soiled items immediately. If you can not rinse fabrics promptly, make sure to store them in an airtight container or plastic bag with a room deodorizer placed inside.

Encourage their participation

• Often, people have incontinence episodes simply because they have difficulty getting to the bathroom in time. Getting the person you care for to begin a simple walking exercise program may increase their mobility. If necessary, encourage them to use adaptive equipment like a cane, walker or wheelchair. Whether they begin a walking exercise program or not, consider placing a bedpan or commode close to their bed or chair.

• Plan regular trips to the bathroom. Gradually increase the interval between trips over several weeks. Make it a goal to go every two hours - about how long it takes the bladder to fill with one cup of urine.

Use the right tools for the job

• If accidents are happening near the toilet, it could be because the person is having difficulty sitting down on the toilet. A toilet seat extender that raises the seat height to a more comfortable level may be added. The extender may be combined with wall handrails to makes things easier.

• Consider using an absorbent product to avoid accidents, and especially at night so you can get some much-needed rest. Use absorbent products that match your needs and preferences as well as those of the person you care for. Your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or other caregivers may have recommendations that can help you decide. Specific information on DEPEND® and POISE® incontinence is available in the Product Selection Section of this Internet site. Product selection should be made based on level of absorbency, product type, size and fit.

• Place a discreet container with an airtight lid in the bathroom for disposal of absorbent products. You can find this type of container in a drugstore or home medical equipment store. There are also containers such as the Confidante™ machine that are specially designed to compress and wrap each used absorbent product in plastic film for convenient, odor-free disposal.

• In case of an accident on furniture or carpeting, special sprays are available to remove odors from fabrics. Check the laundry detergent aisle of your local grocery store or discount chain store.

• Use a wet-proof mattress cover to keep the mattress from becoming soiled

• When planning a trip out, pack wet wipes, a change of clothes, a plastic bag and extra absorbent products. You'll be prepared in case of an accident.

Observe and ask questions

• If the doctor has prescribed diuretics, discuss with him/her when they should be administered. Make sure they help the condition for which they are indicated - but also do not increase incontinence episodes, especially at night.

• If the person you are caring for can't or won't communicate with you, observe behaviors that indicate urination is about to happen.

• When in unfamiliar surroundings, scout out the nearest available restroom.

• Consult a support group for suggestions from others who have experienced the same problem first-hand.

Learn More:

The First Step

Coping with Incontinence

The Importance of Healthy Skin

Handling Daily Needs