Incontinence Tips for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a joyful time when families and dear friends reconnect and enjoy each other’s presence. But for those handling challenges related to incontinence in elderly loved ones, there may need to be some extra planning to make sure that the holiday remains positive.

One area that may need some special attention is in the selection and preparation of the Thanksgiving dinner (as well as snacks, etc.).

Triggers

Incontinence in elderly individuals is as unique and specific as the individual in question. What may be a “trigger” – a food or drink that increases the bathroom urge – to one person may be nothing special to another. However, there are some ingredients that are much more commonly associated with incontinence than others. The “big four” in this category tend to be alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and acidic or spicy foods.

To help manage incontinence in elderly loved ones or visitors, the following can be helpful:

• Avoid coffee, tea, wine, beer, and sodas. The less of these “trigger-happy” drinks one consumes, the less likely one will need to urinate as frequently or as urgently. Sodas can be especially problematic, as they may contain both caffeine and sweeteners.
• Drink plenty of water instead. Water is a much safer choice, and a person should drink plenty of it. While this may have an effect on how often one needs to use the bathroom, drinking too little can actually cause the bladder to feel irritated.
• Practice moderation. It’s so tempting to load up on all the tasty food that’s available at Thanksgiving. However, managing incontinence requires setting some limits. If that gravy is a bit on the spicy side, avoid it – or at least take only a small amount. Tomato sauce can be delicious but also very acidic, so if this is a prominent feature at Thanksgiving, ask ahead of time if an alternative can be made available.

Beyond the Food

Other than watching the menu, there are additional steps that can be helpful in handling incontinence at Thanksgiving. For example:

• Plot routes. It’s important to know where the bathrooms are and to figure out the best way to get there. For example, if Grandma is likely to need to get to the restroom quickly its best that she is seated at the end of the table that is near the door. This way she doesnt need to squeeze past other diners and get get there quickly.
• Anticipate excitement. Thanksgiving tends to be very exciting, with a lot of noise and commotion. This heightened activity level can often increase incontinence in elderly ones, so it’s good to check in on the need for bathroom trips more frequently.
• Be prepared. Accidents do happen, so it’s good to be prepared with incontinence-friendly underclothes and a change of outfits if necessary.

Managing incontinence in elderly patients can require advance planning, but the results can make Thanksgiving much more enjoyable.

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