13 tips to help manage incontinence

There are many things you can do to help a person manage incontinence. In some cases you can help decrease the number of incontinence episodes by making a few simple changes about the home.

Focus on identifying ways you can facilitate easy access to the toilet, transferring on and off the toilet and faster removal of clothes. Things you can try:

• Ensure the bathroom is easily accessible, relocating a bedroom to be close to the toilet can help
   
• Install grab rails in the bathroom and by the toilet if a person is unsteady on their feet
   
• Use a raised toilet seat to ease transferring on and off the toilet
   
• Keep lights on in the toilet at night
   
• Plug in night lights by the bed or toilet for night time toileting
   
• Install sensor lights in hallways
   
• Consider placing a commode chair by the bed at night
   
• Keep a urinal or bed pan within reach at night
   
• Place an absorbent sheet and a waterproof mattress protector on the bed
   
• Consider the use of incontinence pads
   
• Place a non-slip mat by the toilet
   
• Wipe up any spills immediately, keep paper towels and a mop handy to prevent falls
   
• Choose clothes with elastic waist bands or Velcro openings