4 Tips for Helping Your Loved One Talk about Incontinence
Senior Care in Beverly Hills CA
When you suspect that your loved one is dealing with something like incontinence, it can be difficult to know how to bring the topic up. It’s a private situation, certainly, and it’s something that 
your loved one may never have thought that she’d have to discuss with you. Here are some tips that can help to make the conversation a little easier.
Bring it Up Gently
It’s entirely possible that your loved one knows that she has an issue, but she’s either nervous or scared to broach the topic with you. Wait for a calm time when you have plenty of time to privately talk about the problem with her. It’s possible that your loved one has been avoiding activities and people that she normally enjoys simply because she’s dealing with incontinence. Reassure your loved one that at some point everyone has either already dealt with incontinence or will. It’s something that is still highly embarrassing, though, so tread lightly.
Offer Some Solutions
When you do talk about the situation, try to offer some solutions. Incontinence aids have come a long way from when they were first introduced, and your loved one may not be aware of all the different options available. She may be too embarrassed to add them to her normal weekly purchases, though, so look into other options. You can purchase them for her, of course, or you can order them online and have them delivered. Look for solutions that work for your loved one and her lifestyle.
Talk to Your Loved One’s Doctor
While you’re looking for solutions, it’s also important to talk to your loved one’s doctor about the situation. There may be medical reasons that your loved one is dealing with incontinence and some of them may be treatable, correcting the problem altogether. Some medications can even contribute to incontinence, so it can help to have your loved one checked out completely.
Try to Avoid Making a Big Deal Out of the Situation
No matter what else happens, avoid making a big deal out of the situation. Your loved one is going through a situation that most people have or will go through and it’s not as big a deal as it might seem. Her lifestyle may need to change slightly, in terms of planning her bathroom breaks more stringently than she ever has before, but that can help to give her peace of mind. Overall, reassure your loved one that you do love her and that this is not a problem.
The more that you can help your loved one to feel at ease with dealing incontinence, the less she’ll feel that she needs to hide.