Understanding and addressing incontinence and urinary retention can cultivate compassion and dignity, breaking down stigmas associated with these common conditions.
As a caregiver, you play a key role in observing your loved one’s symptoms and behavior, and helping to coordinate communication with their doctor. Incontinence and urinary retention are completely opposite problems and something to watch out for.
Incontinence makes it hard to hold your urine, while urinary retention means you are unable to completely empty your bladder. Although common, both conditions are considered taboo subjects often associated with infancy, losing one’s faculties, or old age.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, urinary retention affects 10% of men over 70 and 30% of men over 80. The National Association for Continence reports that incontinence affects more than 25 million adults in the United States.
Knowing the facts
Here are some of the key myths about incontinence and urinary retention — and the facts:
- Myth: Incontinence is an inevitable part of aging.
- Truth: While the risk increases with age, it’s not a normal part of aging and can often be managed with lifestyle changes and treatment.
- Myth: Only women experience incontinence, and urinary retention affects only men.
- Truth: While incontinence is more common in women — due to pregnancy, childbirth, and hormonal changes, among other factors — men can also experience incontinence from an enlarged prostate. Urinary retention is much more common in men, but women can also be affected.
- Myth: Restricting fluids is a good way to manage it.
- Truth: Limiting fluid intake can worsen the problem by concentrating urine, which irritates the bladder.
- Myth: Incontinence is not a serious issue.
- Truth: Due to social and personal limitations, it can significantly impact quality of life and other health issues like infection and skin impairment.
- Myth: With regard to urinary retention, holding urine in causes urinary tract infections (UTI).
- Truth: Although consistently holding urine for an extended period can be problematic, doing it occasionally is not a major contributor to a UTI.
Overcoming stigma
Despite being common conditions, there is a stigma to bladder control issues, leading to feelings of shame, embarrassment, and isolation. This can make it difficult for people to talk about it and get the help they need.
The stigma arises from factors like discomfort discussing bodily functions, the perception of this being private and potentially embarrassing, age-related stereotypes, an association with uncleanliness, and the perceived loss of control. This can lead to shame, anxiety, withdrawal from social interactions for fear of accidents, and reluctance to seek help, worsening the condition physically, emotionally, and socially.
Education is one way to help us overcome this stigma. Open communication and learning the causes, types, and treatment options make it less of a taboo topic. There’s a slow shift in awareness and understanding, however, as more people speak out and bladder issues are framed as health conditions to be managed rather than something to be ashamed of. It may help to connect with people who have experienced similar challenges and learn ways to help improve your loved one’s quality of life.
Maintaining dignity
Maintaining a loved one’s dignity is key for caregivers. Use discreet products for someone with incontinence so they feel less self-conscious. Respect their privacy. Encourage medical advice, which could include physical therapy treatment, and provide emotional support while promoting independence. By fostering a compassionate and understanding approach, individuals with incontinence can maintain a better quality of life without shame.
It’s all about finding the right balance between offering support and ensuring your loved one feels as independent and dignified as possible. Most importantly, it’s about letting them know you’re there for them, no matter what.
